1989
China imposed martial law as the government took a firmer stand against the pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, Beijing
China
1983
The journal ‘Science’ reported the discovery of the virus that causes Aids .
1957
Gilbert Murray died 1957 (born 1866). Classical scholar.
Great Britain
1939
Pan American Airways launched the first regular transatlantic airmail service (Note: their passenger service began on 28th June 1939)
United States
1927
Lindbergh makes solo flight across the Atlantic, in 33½ hours
United States
1908
Birth of James ‘Jimmy’ Stewart, American actor .
United States
1883
Krakatoa began erupting, which ultimately led to the volcano’s destruction in a cataclysmic eruption in August of that year.
Indonesia
1883
Birth of King Faisal I of Iraq .
Iraq
1759
Birth of William Thornton, British-born American architect and inventor, designed the US Capitol building in Washington DC and was the first superintendent of the US Patent Office
United States
1690
England passes Act of Grace, forgiving Roman Catholic followers of James II
Great Britain
1643
Battle of Wakefield
Great Britain
1609
Shakespeare's sonnets first published.
Great Britain
1506
Death of Christopher Columbus, made common knowledge the existence of North America.
Italy
1498
Portugal
1497
John Cabot departed Bristol on the Matthew in his quest to find a route to the west. (May 2 also sometimes quoted as the date of departure).
Great Britain
0685
Battle of Nechtansmere fought between the Picts and the Northumbrians, which the Picts won decisively.
Great Britain