Treaty of Interest
May 14 Great Britain signs treaty with Emperor Menelik II of Abyssinia
Historic Event
May 15 The Scientific-Humanitarian Committee is founded in Berlin by Magnus Hirschfeld, the first-ever LGBT rights organization
Historic Event
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
Music History
May 18 Paul Dukas' symphonic scherzo "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice" (used in Disney's Fantasia film) premieres, based on poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Historic Event
May 18 Herbert Henry Dow founds Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan
Historic Event
May 19 Oscar Wilde is released from Reading Gaol
Sports History
May 20 British Open Men's Golf, Royal Liverpool GC: English amateur Harold Hilton wins 2nd Open title by 1 stroke from Scot James Braid
Historic Publication
May 26 "Dracula" by Irish author Bram Stoker is published by Archibald Constable and Company in London
- May 29 31st Belmont: Joe Scherrer aboard Scottish Chieftain wins in 2:23.25