Panic of 1893
May 5 Panic of 1893 causes a large crash on the NY Stock Exchange
World Record
May 11 Henri Desgrange establishes world's 1st bicycle world record, travelling 35.325 km (21.95 miles) an hour
Historic Event
May 31 Remains of Jefferson Davis moved from New Orleans and re-interred at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, per his widow's request