On This Day in History for May 31
Events in History
- 1279 BC Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great becomes Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt (19th Dynasty)
- 70 Rome captures 1st wall of the city of Jerusalem
- 1223 Battle of the Kalka River: Mongol force led by Jebei and Subedei defeat a Russian alliance, after feigning their retreat, leading to the death of 20,000 Russians
- 1417 Jacoba of Bavaria becomes countess of Holland/Zealand/Henegouwen
- 1495 Emperor Maximilian, Pope Alexander VI, Milan, King Ferdinand, Isabella & Venice sign anti-French Saint League
- 1531 Dutch Catholic activist Engel Korsendochter leads a march of 300 women from the Guild of the Holy Sacrament protesting plans to replace a treasured chapel with a wool warehouse in Amsterdam; they are charged with rebellion, fined, and banished for 4 years - most were pardoned upon appeal to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
- 1578 Martin Frobisher sails from Harwich, England, to Frobisher Bay, Canada. Eventually mines fools gold, famously used to pave the streets of London.
- 1621 Sir Francis Bacon imprisoned in the Tower of London for 1 night
- More Events in History
Walt Whitman
Pius XI
Rainier III
Viktor OrbánWeddings in History
- 1919 1st wedding held in an aircraft (over Houston, Texas)
- 1991 Oldest bride - Minnie Munro, 102, weds Dudley Reid, 83, in Australia
More Weddings & Divorces in History
Joseph Grimaldi
Elizabeth Blackwell
Chris HaneyMay in History
Voltaire: Writer, Wit, Philosopher and Rebel
They burned his books, sent him to the Bastille and into exile, but Voltaire, who died on this day, remained rich, successful – and defiant.
May 30, 1778Hernando de Soto's Expedition lands in Florida
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto lands on the coast of Florida, somewhere between present-day Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor
May 30, 1539Cloak And Dagger World of Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh's secret marriage to a lady-in-waiting was uncovered on this day. It ruined his career, but things were to get much worse.
May 31, 1592Battle of Jutland
HMS Invincible on fire after being struck by shells from SMS Lützow and SMS Derfflinger
May 31, 1916
