Events in History
- May 1 American Revolution: The Battle of Crooked Billet begins in Hatboro, Pennsylvania.
Event of Interest
May 5 George Washington appoints Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben Inspector General of the Continental Army
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
George Washington
Birthdays in History
- May 18 Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry (d. 1854)
Deaths in History
William Pitt the Elder
May 11 William Pitt the Elder, British Prime Minister (Whig, 1756-61, 66-68) known as the `Great Commoner', dies at 69
William Pitt the Elder
- May 16 Robert Darcy, 4th Earl of Holderness, English diplomat and politician, dies at 59
Voltaire
May 30 Voltaire [Francois-Marie Arouet], French writer, philosopher and playwright (Candide), dies at 83
Voltaire