Historical Events
- May 1 238 members of "Whiskey Ring" accused of anti-US activities
- May 1 Alexandra Palace, London, reopens after being burnt down in 1873
- May 7 German SS Schiller sinks near Scilly Islands, 312 killed
- May 11 George "Charmer" Zettlein pitches the 1st 9 inning shutout
- May 12 1st recorded shutout in pro baseball, Chicago 1, St Louis 0
- May 16 Eathquake in Venezuela & Colombia kills 16,000
- May 17 1st Kentucky Derby: Oliver Lewis aboard Aristides wins in 2:37.75
- May 20 International Bureau of Weights & Measures forms by treaty
- May 28 3rd Preakness: L Hughes aboard Tom Ochiltree wins in 2:43.5
- May 31 Reciprocity Treaty between US & Hawaii ratified
Famous Birthdays
- May 4 Ramiro de Maeztu, Spanish writer (Don Quixote & Celestine), born in Alava, Spain (d. 1936)
- May 4 Reggie Schwartz, South African cricketer (1st of great South African googlists), born in Lee, London (d. 1918)
- May 6 William D. Leahy, American admiral and chief of staff (1949), born in Hampton, Iowa (d. 1959)
- May 11 Harriet Quimby, American aviator (d. 1912)
- May 18 Guido Alberto Fano, Italian composer and pianist, born in Padua (d. 1961)
- May 23 Alfred P. Sloan, American long-time president and chairman of General Motors (d. 1966)
- May 30 Giovanni Gentile, Italian philosopher (The Doctrine of Fascism), born in Castelvetrano, Italy (d. 1944)
- May 31 Italo Montemezzi, Italian composer (L'amore dei tre re), born in Vigasio, Italy (d. 1952)