Events in History May 1 Adam Weishaupt founds secret society of Illuminati May 2 France & Spain agreed to give weapons to American rebels May 4 Rhode Island declares independence from Great Britain May 12 Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, French minister of Finance, resigns Birthdays in History May 4 Johann Friedrich Herbart, German philosopher and psychologist, born in Oldenburg, Germany (d. 1841) Deaths in History May 4 Jacques Saly, French sculptor, dies at 58 May 13 Anton de Haen, Austrian medical expert (Ratio Medendi), dies at 71 1775 On This Day in History 1777