- May 5 Anti-Jewish rioting in Kyiv, Ukraine
Stanley's 1st Congo Contract
May 8 Henry Morton Stanley signs the first of many contracts with the Congolian monarch
- May 10 Lighthouse on Ameland begins operation
- May 11 Bedřich Smetana's opera "Libuše" premieres iat the Natonal Theater, in Prague
- May 12 Treaty of Bardo, Tunisia becomes a French protectorate
- May 16 World's 1st electric tram enters service in Lichterfelder (near Berlin)
- May 17 7th Kentucky Derby: HOF jockey Jim McLaughlin aboard heavy favourite Hindoo wins in 2:40.00
Recorder of Deeds Frederick Douglass
May 17 Frederick Douglass appointed recorder of deeds for the District of Columbia
- May 17 Revised version of New Testament
Event of Interest
May 21 American Red Cross founded by Clara Barton
Abolitionists
Dictators
Explorers
Outlaws
Queens
Spies