What Happened on May 4?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON MAY 4
Explore the most important historical events that happened on May 4, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Panama Canal
Year:
1904
The United States begins construction of the Panama Canal.
Like
Royal Canadian Navy
Year:
1910
The Royal Canadian Navy is created.
Like
Haymarket affair
Year:
1886
Haymarket affair: In Chicago, United States, a homemade bomb is thrown at police officers trying to break up a labor rally, killing one officer. Ensuing gunfire leads to the deaths of a further seven officers and four civilians.
Like
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
Year:
1871
The National Association, the first professional baseball league, opens its first season in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Like
Naval Battle of Hakodate
Year:
1869
The four-day Naval Battle of Hakodate begins. The newly formed Imperial Japanese Navy defeats the remnants of the Tokugawa shogunate navy in the Sea of Japan off the city of Hakodate, leading to the surrender of the Ezo Republic on May 17.
Like
Rhodes
Year:
1912
Italy occupies the Ottoman island of Rhodes.
Like
May Fourth Movement
Year:
1919
May Fourth Movement: Student demonstrations take place in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, protesting the Treaty of Versailles, which transferred Chinese territory to Japan.
Like
World War II
Year:
1942
World War II: The Battle of the Coral Sea begins with an attack by aircraft from the United States aircraft carrier USS Yorktown on Japanese naval forces at Tulagi Island in the Solomon Islands. The Japanese forces had invaded Tulagi the day before.
Like
BIRTHS ON MAY 4
Discover famous people and historical figures born on May 4, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Richard Proenneke
Year of birth:
1916
Richard Proenneke, American soldier, carpenter, and meteorologist (died 2003)
Like
Maedayama Eigorō
Year of birth:
1914
Maedayama Eigorō, Japanese sumo wrestler, the 39th Yokozuna (died 1971)
Like
Jane Jacobs
Year of birth:
1916
Jane Jacobs, American-Canadian journalist, author, and activist (died 2006)
Like
Nick Joaquin
Year of birth:
1917
Nick Joaquin, Filipino writer, journalist and historian (died 2004)
Like
Edo Murtić
Year of birth:
1921
Edo Murtić, Croatian painter, sculptor, and illustrator (died 2005)
Like
Kakuei Tanaka
Year of birth:
1918
Kakuei Tanaka, Japanese soldier and politician, 64th Prime Minister of Japan (died 1993)
Like
Princess Katherine of Greece and Denmark
Year of birth:
1913
Princess Katherine of Greece and Denmark (died 2007)
Like
Lincoln Kirstein
Year of birth:
1907
Lincoln Kirstein, American soldier and playwright, co-founded the New York City Ballet (died 1996)
Like
DEATHS ON MAY 4
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on May 4, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Joseph Plunkett
Year of death:
1916
Joseph Plunkett, Irish rebel and writer (born 1887)
Like
Nettie Stevens
Year of death:
1912
Nettie Stevens, American geneticist credited with discovering sex chromosomes (born 1861)
Like
Willie Pearse
Year of death:
1916
Willie Pearse, Irish rebel (born 1881)
Like
John Murray (Victorian politician)
Year of death:
1916
John Murray, Australian politician, 23rd Premier of Victoria (born 1851)
Like
Edward Daly (Irish revolutionary)
Year of death:
1916
Ned Daly, Irish rebel commander (Easter Rising) (born 1891)
Like
Gotse Delchev
Year of death:
1903
Gotse Delchev, Macedonian Bulgarian revolutionary IMRO (born 1872)
Like
John Jones Ross
Year of death:
1901
John Jones Ross, Canadian lawyer and politician, 7th Premier of Quebec (born 1831)
Like
Joseph Joubert
Year of death:
1824
Joseph Joubert, French author (born 1754)
Like
HOLIDAYS ON MAY 4
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on May 4 around the world.
Greenery Day
Greenery Day (Japan)
Like
Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck Day (United States)
Like
History of coal miners
Coal Miners Day (India)
Like
Pink Shirt Day
Anti-Bullying Day (United Nations)
Like
International Firefighters' Day
International Firefighters' Day
Like
Literary Day
May Fourth Movement commemorations: Literary Day (Republic of China)
Like
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day (International observance)
Like
Remembrance of the Dead
Remembrance of the Dead (Netherlands)
Like