Historical Events in May 1897

  • May 4 23rd Kentucky Derby: Buttons Garner aboard Typhoon II wins in 2:12.5
  • May 4 Fire in Paris bazaar at Rue Jean Goujon kills 200
  • May 8 22nd Preakness: T Thorpe aboard Paul Kauvar wins in 1:51ΒΌ
  • May 11 Washington Senator catcher Charlie Farrell throws out 8 attempted stealers
  • May 12 1800-1900 year old fossil of "girl of Yde" found in Drente, Netherlands
  • May 12 Battle at Thessalie: Turkish army beats Greece
  • May 14 Great Britain signs treaty with Emperor Menelik II of Abyssinia
  • May 15 The Greek army retreats with heavy losses in the Greco-Turkish War.

Event of interestEvent of Interest

May 17 The first successful submarine that can run submerged for any considerable distance and combines electric and gasoline engines is launched in the USA by its designer John Philip Holland

Engineer John Philip Holland
Engineer
John Philip Holland
  • May 18 Irish Music Festival 1st held (Dublin)
  • May 18 American baseball NY Giant William (Bill) Joyce sets record of 4 triples in 1 game
  • May 18 Paul Dukas' "L'Apprenti Sorcier Pruimtabak on the Market" premieres

Book releaseHistoric Publication

May 18 "Dracula", by Irish author Bram Stoker is published by Archibald Constable and Company in London

Novelist Bram Stoker
Novelist
Bram Stoker

Event of interestEvent of Interest

May 18 Herbert Henry Dow founds Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan

Chemical Industrialist Herbert Henry Dow
Chemical Industrialist
Herbert Henry Dow

Event of interestEvent of Interest

May 19 Oscar Wilde is released from Reading Gaol

Writer and Poet Oscar Wilde
Writer and Poet
Oscar Wilde
  • May 20 British Open Golf, Royal Liverpool GC: English amateur Harold Hilton wins 2nd Open title by 1 stroke from Scot James Braid
  • May 21 Yerkes Observatory 40" (1m) refractor used for 1st time
  • May 22 The Blackwall Tunnel, London, under the River Thames is officially opened
  • May 29 31st Belmont: J Scherrer aboard Scottish Cheiftain wins in 2:23.25