On This Day

Historical Events in May 1890

  • May 2 Territory of Oklahoma created
  • May 12 Louisiana legalizes prize fighting
  • May 12 First official County Cricket Championship match begins; Yorkshire beats Gloucestershire by 8 wickets at Bristol; James Cranston scores first century (101) in the competition
  • May 13 18th Preakness: W Martin aboard Montague wins in 2:36.75

Historic Event

May 13 Lord Salisbury offers Helgoland to Germany in exchange for Zanzibar, Uganda & Equatoria

Robert Gascoyne-Cecil
British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil
  • May 14 16th Kentucky Derby: Isaac Murphy aboard Riley wins in 2:45

Historic Event

May 14 British sailor David Beatty is promoted to sub-lieutenant

David Beatty
British Admiral of the Fleet David Beatty

Theater Premiere

May 17 Clyde Fitch's play "Beau Brummel" premieres in NYC

Clyde Fitch
Playwright Clyde Fitch
  • May 17 Comic Cuts, 1st weekly comic paper, published in London
  • May 17 Pietro Mascagni's opera "Rustic Chivalry" premieres in Rome at the Teatro Costanzi

Historic Event

May 24 Leo von Caprivi succeeds Otto von Bismarck as Chancellor of Germany

Otto von Bismarck
German Statesman Otto von Bismarck
  • May 24 Geo Train & Sam Wall circle world in record 67 days, Tacoma-Tacoma
  • May 24 Tivoli Theater of Varieties opens in London
  • May 30 First baseman Dave Foutz hits Brooklyn Bridegrooms' (later Dodgers) first ever home run during doubleheader defeats to Chicago Colts at Washington Park, Brooklyn
  • May 31 Ulm Minster, in Ulm, Germany, the tallest church in the world with a steeple 161.5m high, is finally completed (begun 1377)

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