Events in Sport
- May 12 1st recorded shutout in pro baseball, Chicago 1, St Louis 0
- May 17 1st Kentucky Derby: Oliver Lewis aboard Aristides wins in 2:37.75
- May 28 3rd Preakness: L Hughes aboard Tom Ochiltree wins in 2:43.5
Birthdays in Sport
- May 4 Reggie Schwartz, South African cricketer (1st of great South African googlists), born in Lee, London (d. 1918)