On This Day

May 1742 in History

Events in History


Victory in battleVictory in Battle

May 17 Battle of Chotusitz: Prussia led by Frederick the Great defeats Austria

King of Prussia Frederick the Great
King of Prussia
Frederick the Great

Birthdays in History

  • May 13 Archduchess Maria Christina, Duchess of Teschen (d. 1798)
  • May 18 Lionel Lukin, British life boat pioneer, born in Great Dunmow, Essex (d. 1834)

Deaths in History

  • May 13 Ludwig IX, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt (b. 1719)
  • May 14 Dominique Marie Valet, French RC/old-catholic bishop, dies at 64
  • May 21 Lars Roberg, Swedish physician (b. 1664)
  • May 26 Pylyp Orlyk, Ukrainian Zaporozhian Cossack starshina and diplomat, dies at 69