Historical Events
- May 1 43 Unification church couples wed in NYC
Film & TV History
May 1 Children's educational television host Fred Rogers testifies before US Senate Subcommittee on Communications to secure funding for creation of PBS
- May 1 Houston Astros hurler Don Wilson blanks Reds, 4-0 for second career no-hitter, at Crosley Field in Cincinnati
Election of Interest
May 1 James Chichester-Clark is elected as leader of the Unionist party, succeededing Terence O'Neill as the Northern Ireland Prime Minister
- May 1 Leonard Tose buys NFL Philadelphia Eagles for a professional sports record $16.15m
- May 1 Pirate Radio Station 259 (England/France) begins transmitting
Clouds
May 1 Reprise Records releases "Clouds", Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell's 2nd studio album
- May 2 British liner Queen Elizabeth II leaves Southampton on maiden voyage to NY
- May 3 "Trumpets of the Lord" closes at Brooks Atkinson NYC after 7 performances
- May 3 95th Kentucky Derby: Bill Hartack on Majestic Prince wins in 2:01.8
- May 4 Charles Gordone's "No Place to be Somebody" premieres in NYC
- May 4 Stanley Cup Final, St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, MO: John Ferguson scores the winner as Montreal Canadiens edge St Louis Blues, 2-1 for a 4 game series sweep
- May 5 23rd NBA Championship: Boston Celtics beat LA Lakers, 4 games to 3
Sports History
May 5 Milwaukee Bucks sign #1 NBA Draft pick, star UCLA center Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)
Event of Interest
May 5 Pulitzer prize awarded to Norman Mailer (Armies of the Night)
Event of Interest
May 6 Northern Ireland Prime Minister James Chichester-Clark announces an amnesty for all offences associated with demonstrations since 5 October 1968, resulting in the release of, among others, Ian Paisley and Ronald Bunting
- May 9 BPAA All-Star Bowling Tournament won by Billy Hardwick
- May 9 Following his release from prison Ian Paisley, North Ireland Loyalist holds a 'victory' meeting
- May 10 In an interview with the 'Belfast Telegraph' former Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill states: "if you give Roman Catholics a good job and a good house, they will live like Protestants, ... They will refuse to have 18 children"
- May 10 Turtles play White House, Mark Volman falls off stage 5 times
- May 10 US troops begin attack on Hill 937 ("Hamburger Hill"), Vietnam
Monty Python Formed
May 11 British comedy troupe Monty Python forms, made up of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin
- May 12 Pilot Ken Wallis achieves record speed for autogyros - 179 KPH
- May 13 Race riots, later known as the May 13 Incident, take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- May 14 Abortion & contraception legalized in Canada
- May 14 Last Chevrolet Corvair built
- May 15 Associate Justice Abe Fortas resigns from Supreme Court
Music History
May 16 Barbra Streisand appears at a Friars Club Tribute
- May 16 Students occupies Magden House Amsterdam
Music History
May 16 The Who's Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey charged with assault
- May 16 US nuclear sub Guitarro sinks off San Francisco
- May 16 USSR performs nuclear Test at Eastern Kazakh, Semipalitinsk USSR
- May 16 Venera 5 lands on Venus, returns data on atmosphere
- May 17 "My Wife, My Dog, My Cat" by Maskman & The Agents hits #92
- May 17 94th Preakness: Bill Hartack aboard Majestic Prince wins in 1:55.6
- May 17 Baltimore, Cleveland & Pittsburgh agree to go from NFC to AFC in NFL
- May 17 Russian probe Venera 6 landed on Venus
- May 18 "Canterbury Tales" closes at Eugene O'Neill Theater NYC after 122 performances
- May 18 Apollo 10 launches from Kennedy Space Center and later transmits the 1st color pictures of Earth from space
- May 20 US troop capture Hill 937/Hamburger Hill in Vietnam
- May 21 Civil unrest in Rosario, Argentina, aka Rosariazo, following the death of a 15-year-old student.
Murder of Interest
May 21 Robert F. Kennedy's murderer Sirhan Sirhan sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment
- May 21 Slovan Bratislava of Czechoslovakia win 9th European Cup Winner's Cup against FC Barcelona of Spain 3-2 in Basel
- May 22 Stafford & Cernan pilot Apollo 10 LEM 9.4 mi(15km) above lunar surface
- May 23 22nd Cannes Film Festival: "If..." directed by Lindsay Anderson wins the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film
Film & TV History
May 23 BBC orders 13 episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus
- May 23 Lauwerszee Dike in Holland closes
- May 23 The Who release rock opera "Tommy"
- May 24 "Sugar, Sugar" single released by cartoon band The Archies (Billboard Song of the Year, 1969)
- May 24 Beatles' "Get Back" single goes #1 and stays #1 for 5 weeks
Midnight Cowboy
May 25 "Midnight Cowboy" directed by John Schlesinger and starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman is released (Academy Awards Best Picture 1970)
- May 25 Sudanese government is overthrown in a military coup
- May 26 Apollo 10 astronauts returned to Earth
Music History
May 26 John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin their 2nd bed-in for peace at Hotel La Reine Elizabeth, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Television Finale
May 27 Jerry Lewis Show second run, last airs on NBC-TV
- May 27 Walt Disney World construction begins at Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida
- May 28 European Cup Final, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid: AC Milan striker Pierino Prati scores 3 in 4-1 win over Ajax; second title for I Rossoneri
- May 29 Atlantic Records releases the eponymous debut album of "Crosby, Stills & Nash"; it contains hits 'Marrakesh Express' and 'Suite: Judy Blue Eyes'
- May 29 Britain's Trans-Arctic expedition makes 1st crossing of Arctic Sea ice
- May 29 General strike in Cordoba, Argentina, leading to the Cordobazo civil unrest
- May 30 Australian Derek Clayton runs world record marathon (2:08:33.6) at Antwerp, Belgium; record disputed (short course)
- May 30 Gibraltar adopts constitution
Indy 500
May 30 Indianapolis 500: Mario Andretti leads for 116 laps to win for car owner Andy Granatelli in record time of 3:11:14.71; breaks previous record by nearly 5 minutes
- May 30 Riots by oil workers striking against economic and racial disparities in Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles spark calls for the island's independence
- May 31 "Dear World" closes at Mark Hellinger Theater NYC after 132 performances
Music History
May 31 "Gitarzan" by Ray Stevens peaks at #8
- May 31 John Lennon and Yoko Ono record "Give Peace a Chance" in a Montreal hotel, during their second 'bed-in' for peace; other performers include Tommy Smothers, Petula Clark, Timothy Leary, and Dick Gregory
My Cherie Amour
May 31 Stevie Wonder releases the single "My Cherie Amour" which goes on to become a soul classic
Famous Birthdays
- May 1 Bryan Marchment, Canadian NHL defenseman, 1989-2006 (Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks, and 7 other teams), born in Scarborough, Ontario (d. 2022)
- May 1 Wes Anderson, American director and writer
Brian Lara (54 years old)
May 2 West Indian cricket batsman and captain (131 Tests; WR Test score 400no 2004; 11,953 runs @ 52.88; 34 x 100; 299 ODIs), born in Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago
- May 3 Daryl F. Mallett, American writer and editor, born in Los Angeles, California
- May 3 Karen Kraft, American rower (Olympic silver 1996), born in San Mateo, California
- May 5 Bryan Ivie, American volleyball middle blocker (Olympic bronze 1992, 96), born in Torrance, California
- May 6 Jim Magilton, Northern Irish footballer
- May 6 Mark Thomas, NFL defensive end (Carolina Panthers, Packers, Bears)
- May 7 Katerina Maleeva, Bulgarian tennis player (11 x WTA titles; World #6 1990), born in Sofia, Bulgaria
- May 7 Melanie Valerio, American swimmer (Olympic gold 4x100m freestyle relay 1996), born in Cleveland, Ohio
- May 8 Akebono Taro, American born Japanese sumo wrestler (1st non Japanese to reach rank of Yokozuna), born in Waimānalo, Hawaii
- May 8 Brad Culpepper, NFL defensive tackle (Tampa Bay Bucs)
- May 8 Duane Forde, CFL fullback (Calgary Stampeders)
- May 8 Swift Burch, CFL defensive end (Montreal Alouettes)
- May 9 Amber [Marie-Claire Cremers], Dutch-born German singer-songwriter, born in Ubbergen, the Netherlands
- May 9 Carla Overbeck, American soccer defender (170 caps; Olympic gold 1996, silver 2000; FIFA Women's World Cup gold 1991, 99), born in Pasadena, California
- May 9 Renn Crichlow, canoeist (Olympics-8-92, 96), born in Ottawa, Ontario
- May 10 Curtis Whitley, NFL center (Panthers, Packers, Raiders)
- May 10 Dennis Bergkamp, Dutch football player (Ajax; Netherlands), born in Amsterdam, Netherlands
- May 10 John Scalzi, American writer
- May 10 Judson Mills, Purcellville Va, actor (Hutch-As The World Turns)
- May 10 Pete Schourek, pitcher (Cincinnati Reds), born in Austin, Texas
- May 11 Amy Legacki, Terrytown NY, 10k runner
- May 12 Kevin Nalty, American viral video maker and YouTuber, born in New Orleans, Louisiana
- May 12 Kim Fields Freeman, American actress (The Facts of Life - "Tootie"), born in Los Angeles, California
- May 13 Buckethead [Brian Carroll], American underground guitarist, born in Los Angeles, California
- May 13 Lyle Mouton, American MLB outfielder, 1995-2001 (Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and 2 other teams), born in Lafayette, Louisiana
- May 13 Patricia Leonard, American classical composer (My Dearest Friend; Strangely Close, Yet Distant), born in Boston, Massachusetts
- May 13 Sevren Ni-Arb [André Schmechta], German techno-trance musician (X Marks the Pedwalk), born in Germany
Cate Blanchett (54 years old)
May 14 Australian actress (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Lord of the Rings), born in Melbourne, Victoria
- May 14 Danny Wood, American singer, guitarist, and choreographer (New Kids On The Block), born in Dorchester, Massachusetts
- May 14 Greg Kurstin, American record producer, and songwriter (Lily Allen; Sia; P!nk; Foo Fighters; Adele; Paul McCartney; Bird and The Bee), born in Los Angeles, California
- May 14 Sabine Schmitz, German professional motor racing driver, and television personality (Top Gear), born in n Adenau, West Germany (d. 2021)
- May 15 Assala [Nasri], Syrian-Bahraini Middle Eastern and Arabic pop singer ("Ma Aaaraftik"), born in Damascus, Syria
Emmitt Smith (54 years old)
May 15 American College/Pro Football HOF running back (Uni of Florida; Super Bowl 1992, 93 [MVP], 95; NFL MVP 1993; 3 x NFL rushing leader; Dallas Cowboys), born in Pensacola, Florida
- May 15 Hideki Irabu, Japanese-American NPB and MLB baseball pitcher, 1988-2004 (New York Yankees, 1997-2002), born in Okinawa, Japan (d. 2011)
- May 15 Holly McPeak, American beach volleyballer (Olympic bronze 2004), born in Manhattan Beach, California
- May 16 David Boreanaz, American actor (Angel, Bones), born in Buffalo, New York
- May 16 Steve Lewis, American athlete
- May 16 Steven Earl Lewis, 4X100/400m runner (Olympic gold 1988), born in Los Angeles, California
- May 16 Tracey Gold, American actress (Carol-Growing Pains, Incredible Sunday), born in New York City
Tucker Carlson (54 years old)
May 16 American television commentator (Tucker Carlson Tonight), born in San Francisco, California
- May 17 Aaron Ruffin, CFL defensive back (Hamilton Tiger Cats)
- May 17 Alan Doyle, Canadian musician (Great Big Sea), and actor, born in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland
- May 17 Paige Turco, actress (Melanie-Guiding Light), born in Boston, Massachusetts
- May 17 Ryan Anthony, American trumpet player (Canadian Brass, 2000-03; Dallas Symphony, 2006-20), born in Whittier, California (d. 2020)
- May 17 Thom Filicia, American television personality
- May 17 Ujesh Ranchod, cricketer (Zimbabwe off-spinner 1993)
- May 18 Ettore Carucci, Italian jazz pianist and composer, born in Taranto, Italy
- May 18 Layne Flack, American poker player (6 x World Series of Poker bracelets), born in Rapid City, South Dakota (d. 2021)
- May 18 Martika [Marta Marrero], Cuban-American singer ("Toy Soldiers"), born in Whittier, California
- May 19 David Wharton, Warminster PA, US Olympic swimmer (Olympic silver 1988)
- May 19 Richard Dumas, NBA forward (Philadelphia 76ers)
- May 20 Alberto Mancini, Argentine professional tennis player, born in Misiones, Argentina
- May 20 Brian Gerard James, American professional wrestler
- May 21 Masayo Kurata, Japanese voice actress
- May 21 Pierluigi Brivio, Italian footballer, born in Milan, Italy
- May 23 Pat Hurst, American golfer (ANA Inspiration 1998), born in San Leandro, California
- May 23 Ramon Caraballo, baseball player
- May 24 Jacob Rees-Mogg, British politician, Leader of the House of Commons (2019-), born in London, England
- May 24 Martin McCague, England team cricketer (in Ulster AIS product, Eng quickie 1993-94), born in Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- May 24 Rich Robinson, American rock guitarist (Black Crowes - "Shake Your Money Maker"), born in Atlanta, Georgia
Anne Heche (1969-2022)
May 25 American actress (Donnie Brasco; Juror; Volcano), born in Aurora, Ohio
- May 25 Matt Borlenghi, Italian-American actor (Brian Bodine-All My Children), born in Los Angeles, California
- May 25 Stacy London, American stylist and fashion consultant (What Not To Wear), born in New York City
- May 26 John Baird, Canadian politician, born in Nepean, Ontario
- May 27 Dondre Whitfield, American actor (All My Children), born in Brooklyn, New York
- May 27 Todd Hundley, American baseball catcher (MLB All-Star 1996, 97 NY Mets; LA Dodgers, Chicago Cubs), born in Martinsville, Virginia
- May 28 Damian Rhodes, NHL goalie (Ottawa Senators), born in Saint Paul, Minnesota
- May 29 Anthony Azizi, American actor (Idris-Lost, Eagle Eye), born in New York City
- May 29 Chan Kinchla, Canadian rock guitarist (Blues Traveler - "Run-Around"), born in Hamilton, Ontario
- May 31 Juliet Haslam, Australian field hockey midfielder (Olympic gold 1996, 2000; World Cup gold 1994, 98; Champions Trophy gold 1991, 93, 95, 97, 99), born in Adelaide, Australia
Famous Weddings
Dustin Hoffman
May 4 Actor Dustin Hoffman (31) weds actress Anne Byrne (25)
Lana Turner
May 9 American movie actress Lana Turner (48) weds 7th husband, hypnotist Ronald Pellar (39); divorce in 1972
Famous Deaths
- May 1 Ella Logan [Ina Allan], Scottish actress (52nd Street, Woman Chases Man, Top of the Town), dies from cancer at 56
- May 3 Imre Vincze, Hungarian composer, dies at 42
- May 3 Karl Freund, German cinematographer and film director (Dracula, I love Lucy, The Mummy), dies at 79
- May 3 Zakir Husain, 3rd President of India (1967-69) and scholar, dies at 72
- May 4 Osbert Sitwell, English writer (Out of the Flame), dies at 76
- May 8 Remington Kellogg, American naturalist and director (U.S. National Museum), dies at 76
- May 12 Martin Lamble, British folk-rock drummer (Fairport Convention, 1966-69), killed in a vehicle crash at 19
- May 14 Enid Bennett, silent film actress (Skippy, Hairpins), dies at 75
- May 14 Frederick Lane, Australian swimmer (Olympic gold 200m freestyle, 200m obstacle 1900), dies at 89
Walter Pitts ()
May 14 American logician ("A Logical Calculus of the Ideas Immanent in Nervous Activity" with Warren McCulloch), dies at 46
Joe Malone (1890-1969)
May 15 Canadian Hockey HOF center (only player in NHL history to score 7 goals in a single game 1920; Stanley Cup 1912, 13 Quebec Bulldogs; 1924 Montreal Canadiens), dies at 79
- May 16 Johnny Jordan, English cameraman (You Only Live Twice), dies at 44
- May 17 Clarence "Pants" Rowland, American baseball manager (World Series 1917; Chicago White Sox 1915-18) and MLB umpire (American League 1923-27), dies at 91
- May 17 Joseph Beran, Czech archbishop of Prague/cardinal, dies at 80
- May 18 Ludwig Berger, German film director and cinematographer (The Thief of Bagdad), dies at 77
- May 19 Coleman Hawkins, American jazz musician who virtually created tenor saxophone for jazz, dies at 64
- May 20 Fred Sherman, American actor (Chain Lightning), dies after a stroke at 64
- May 20 Royal Beal, American actor (Death of a Salesman), dies of cancer at 69
- May 23 Diane Aubrey, actress (Haunted Strangler), dies of a heart attack at 79
- May 23 Jimmy McHugh, American composer ("I Can't Give You Anything But Love"; "On the Sunny Side of the Street"; "I'm In The Mood For Love"), dies at 74
- May 23 Peter Alma, Dutch painter and graphic artist, dies at 83
- May 24 Mitzi Green [Elizabeth Keno], American child actress (Huckleberry Finn; Little Orphan Annie), dies from cancer at 48
- May 26 Allan H. Loughead, American aviation pioneer (Lockheed Corporation; b. 1889)
- May 26 Kathryn Minner (née White), American character actress (Little Old Lady from Pasadena), dies of a heart attack at 77
- May 26 Paul Hawkins, Australian racing driver (b. 1937)
- May 27 Jeffrey Hunter, American actor (Star Trek Cage, The Searchers), dies of an intracranial hemorrhage at 43
- May 28 Rhys Williams, Welsh actor (How Green Was My Valley, Nightmare, Okinawa, Cross My Heart), dies at 71
- May 30 Gaston Brenta, Belgian composer, dies at 66
- May 30 John Cipollini, guitarist, dies of ephysema at 45
