What Happened on May 31?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON MAY 31
Explore the most important historical events that happened on May 31, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Plymouth
Year:
1884
The arrival at Plymouth of Tāwhiao, King of Maoris, to claim the protection of Queen Victoria.
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Johnstown Flood
Year:
1889
Johnstown Flood: Over 2,200 people die after a dam fails and sends a 60-foot (18-meter) wall of water over the town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
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Madison Square Garden (1879)
Year:
1879
Gilmore's Garden in New York City is renamed Madison Square Garden by William Henry Vanderbilt and is opened to the public at 26th Street and Madison Avenue.
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Overland Campaign
Year:
1864
American Civil War: Overland Campaign: Battle of Cold Harbor: The Army of Northern Virginia engages the Army of the Potomac.
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American Civil War
Year:
1862
American Civil War: Peninsula Campaign: Confederate forces under Joseph E. Johnston and G.W. Smith engage Union forces under George B. McClellan outside the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.
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Second Boer War
Year:
1902
Second Boer War: The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the war and ensures British control of South Africa.
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Morral affair
Year:
1906
The attempted regicide of Spanish King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenie on their wedding day instead kills 24
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World War I
Year:
1916
World War I: Battle of Jutland: The British Grand Fleet engages the High Seas Fleet in the largest naval battle of the war, which proves indecisive.
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BIRTHS ON MAY 31
Discover famous people and historical figures born on May 31, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Michael Sandberg, Baron Sandberg
Year of birth:
1927
Michael Sandberg, Baron Sandberg, English lieutenant and banker (died 2017)
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Julian Beck
Year of birth:
1925
Julian Beck, American actor and director (died 1986)
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Ellsworth Kelly
Year of birth:
1923
Ellsworth Kelly, American painter and sculptor (died 2015)
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Rainier III, Prince of Monaco
Year of birth:
1923
Rainier III, Prince of Monaco (died 2005)
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Pankaj Roy
Year of birth:
1928
Pankaj Roy, Indian cricketer (died 2001)
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Menahem Golan
Year of birth:
1929
Menahem Golan, Israeli director and producer (died 2014)
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Shirley Verrett
Year of birth:
1931
Shirley Verrett, American soprano and actress (died 2010)
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Clint Eastwood
Year of birth:
1930
Clint Eastwood, American actor, director, musician, and producer
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DEATHS ON MAY 31
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on May 31, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Willem Elsschot
Year of death:
1960
Willem Elsschot, Flemish author and poet (born 1882)
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Walther Funk
Year of death:
1960
Walther Funk, German economist, journalist, and politician, German Minister of Economics (born 1890)
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Henry F. Ashurst
Year of death:
1962
Henry F. Ashurst, American lawyer and politician (born 1874)
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Billy Strayhorn
Year of death:
1967
Billy Strayhorn, American pianist and composer (born 1915)
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Clare Sheridan
Year of death:
1970
Clare Sheridan, English sculptor and author (born 1885)
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Stefanos Sarafis
Year of death:
1957
Stefanos Sarafis, Greek general and politician (born 1890)
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Leopold Staff
Year of death:
1957
Leopold Staff, Polish poet and academic (born 1878)
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Elizabeth Blackwell
Year of death:
1910
Elizabeth Blackwell, English-American physician and educator (born 1821)
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HOLIDAYS ON MAY 31
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on May 31 around the world.
Kaamatan
Kaamatan, harvest festival in the state of Sabah and the federal territory of Labuan (Malaysia)
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World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day (International)
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Borobi
Borobi Day (Australia)
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May 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: May 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Visitation (Christianity)
Christian feast day: Visitation of Mary (Western Christianity)
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Camilla Battista da Varano
Christian feast day: Camilla Battista da Varano
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Saint Petronilla
Christian feast day: Petronella
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Royal Brunei Land Force
Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (Brunei)
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