Historical Events May 1 Adam Weishaupt founds secret society of Illuminati May 2 France & Spain agreed to give weapons to American rebels May 4 Rhode Island declares independence from Great Britain May 12 Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, the French minister of Finance resigns Famous Birthdays May 4 Johann Friedrich Herbart, German philosopher and psychologist, born in Oldenburg, Germany (d. 1841) May 10 George Thomas Smart, composer May 13 Charles Ots, Belgian composer, born in Brussels (d. 1845) May 13 Rodrigo Ferreira da Costa, composer Famous Deaths May 4 Jacques Saly, French sculptor, dies at 58 May 6 James Kent, English composer, dies at 76 May 13 Anton de Haen, Austrian medical expert (Ratio Medendi), dies at 71 1775 History by Year 1777 What Happened in 1776 Snakes Alive! It's St Patrick's Day March 17, 1776 United States Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Yippee! It's Independence Day for the U.S. July 4, 1776 First Lady Pours Scorn Upon a King July 21, 1776
