Historical Events
- 1431 Hundred Years' War: 19 year old Joan of Arc is burned at the stake by an English-dominated tribunal in Rouen, France
- 1539 Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto's expedition of 10 ships and 700 men lands in Florida
- 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo between US and Mexico comes into force, giving New Mexico, California and parts of Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Colorado to the US in return for $15 million
- 1868 "Decoration Day", later called Memorial Day is first observed in Northern US states
- 1896 Khodynka Tragedy: Stampeding crowd on Khodynka Field, Moscow, during the festivities for coronation of Russian Tsar Nicholas II, results in the deaths of about 1,300 people
- 1913 Treaty of London signed by the Great Powers, the Ottoman Empire and the victorious Balkan League (Serbia, Greece, Kingdom of Bulgaria, and Montenegro) bringing an end to the First Balkan War
- More Historical Events
May 30 in Film & TV
- 1987 North American Philips Company unveils compact disc video
May 30 in Music
- 1917 Jazz standard "Dark Town Strutters Ball" by Shelton Brooks recorded by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band
May 30 in Sport
- 1911 1st Indianapolis 500: Ray Harroun driving a Marmon Wasp for Nordyke & Marmon Company comes out of retirement, wins inaugural event; average speed: 74.602 mph (120.060 km/h)
Did You Know?
Former Chad dictator Hissène Habré convicted of crimes against humanity by the Extraordinary African chambers, 1st ex-head of state convicted of the charge
On May 30, 2016
Alexander Nevsky
Henry Addington
Benny Goodman
Gale Sayers
Alexey Leonov
Idina MenzelWould You Believe?
Future US President Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in a duel after Dickinson accused Jackson's wife of bigamy
On May 30, 1806
Famous Weddings
- 1536 England's King Henry VIII marries Jane Seymour, his 3rd wife
- 1797 Abolitionist William Wilberforce (37) weds Barbara Spooner (25) at St Swithins Church in Walcot, Bath
- 1927 Academy Award-winning actor Fredric March (29) marries actress Florence Eldridge
More Weddings
Joan of Arc
Charles IX
Alexander Pope
Voltaire
Wilbur Wright
Boris PasternakArticles, Photos and Quiz
Hernando de Soto's Expedition lands in Florida
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto lands on the coast of Florida, somewhere between present-day Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor
May 30, 1539
Voltaire: Writer, Wit, Philosopher and Rebel
They burned his books, sent him to the Bastille and into exile, but Voltaire, who died on this day, remained rich, successful – and defiant.
May 30, 1778
Weekly Quiz for May 25 - 31
In 1720 a ship brought the last epidemic of what disease to Europe? Which athlete broke 4 world records in 45 mins in 1935? What year was Star Wars released?
