On This Day

Historical Events in May 1886

  • May 1 US general strike for 8-hour working day begins
  • May 3 M A Maclean elected 1st mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia
  • May 4 Haymarket riot in Chicago; bomb kills 7 policemen
  • May 5 The Bay View Tragedy occurs, as militia fires upon a crowd of protesters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin killing seven.
  • May 8 Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta sells the first Coca-Cola (contained cocaine)
  • May 14 12th Kentucky Derby: Paul Duffy aboard Ben Ali wins in 2:36.50

Historic Event

May 15 British sailor David Beatty is promoted to midshipman

David Beatty
British Admiral of the Fleet David Beatty
  • May 19 Camille Saint-Saëns' 3rd Symphony in C premieres at St. James Hall, London, with the composer conducting
  • May 21 14th Preakness: S Fisher aboard Bard wins in 2:45

Historic Event

May 29 American chemist John Pemberton begins to advertise Coca-Cola

John Pemberton
Pharmacist and Inventor of Coca-Cola John Pemberton


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