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Major Events of May 1902: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from May 1902 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of May 1902: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 May 1902 Deadly tornado in Dacca, British India: On May 1, 1902, a tornado swept over the city of Dacca in British India (now Dhaka in Bangladesh) and killed 416 people. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 02 May 1902 First science fiction film released: A Trip to the Moon: Georges Méliès's 'A Trip to the Moon' (Le Voyage dans la Lune), widely regarded as the first science fiction film, was released in 1902. The film follows a group of astronomers who travel to the Moon in a cannon-propelled capsule, explore its surface, and return to Earth. Its innovative special effects and imaginative storytelling have made it a landmark in cinematic history. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 05 May 1902 Louisiana Purchase Exposition postponed: On May 5, 1902, the directors of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, voted to postpone the celebration from 1903 to 1904. source: guides.loc.gov
  • 06 May 1902 Sherlock Holmes Adventure Published: On May 6, 1902, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was published. This detective novel is the third in the Sherlock Holmes series and was first serialized in The Strand Magazine from August 1901 to April 1902. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 07 May 1902 La Soufrière Volcanic Eruption on Saint Vincent: On May 7, 1902, La Soufrière, a volcano on Saint Vincent in the Caribbean, erupted catastrophically. The eruption resulted in the destruction of the town of Kingstown and the loss of approximately 1,600 lives.
  • 08 May 1902 Mount Pelée Volcanic Eruption: On May 8, 1902, Mount Pelée, a volcano on the island of Martinique, erupted violently. The eruption destroyed the city of Saint-Pierre, resulting in the deaths of approximately 30,000 people.
  • 10 May 1902 Birth of David O. Selznick, influential Hollywood film producer: David O. Selznick, renowned for producing classics like "Gone with the Wind" and "Rebecca," was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 15 May 1902 Bailundo Revolt begins in Angola: The Bailundo Revolt, also known as the Second Luso-Ovimbundu War, commenced on May 15, 1902, when the Ovimbundu kingdom of Bailundo and its allies launched an insurrection against the Portuguese Empire. The revolt was prompted by economic hardships, including a sudden decline in the price of root rubber, and lasted until 1904, ending in a Portuguese victory. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 16 May 1902 Historic baseball game between Deaf-Mute players: On May 16, 1902, in Cincinnati, Ohio, pitcher Luther "Dummy" Taylor of the New York Giants faced off against outfielder William "Dummy" Hoy of the Cincinnati Reds. This marked the first and only time two deaf professional athletes competed against each other in a Major League Baseball game. Hoy achieved two hits off Taylor, but the Giants won the game 5–3. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 17 May 1902 Discovery of the Antikythera Mechanism: On May 17, 1902, Greek archaeologist Valerios Stais discovered the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient Greek mechanical device used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses decades in advance. Recovered from a shipwreck off the coast of the island of Antikythera, the mechanism is considered the world's oldest known analog computer. source: britannica.com
  • 18 May 1902 Mount Pelée volcanic eruption: On May 18, 1902, Mount Pelée erupted catastrophically on the Caribbean island of Martinique. The eruption destroyed the city of Saint-Pierre, resulting in the deaths of approximately 30,000 people, making it one of the deadliest volcanic events in recorded history. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 19 May 1902 British-Boer peace negotiations in Pretoria: On May 19, 1902, peace negotiations between British and Boer forces took place in Pretoria, South Africa, aiming to end the Second Boer War. The discussions led to the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging on May 31, 1902, officially ending the conflict. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 20 May 1902 Cuba's independence and first president: On May 20, 1902, Cuba gained formal independence from the United States, and Tomás Estrada Palma became the first president of the Republic of Cuba. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 21 May 1902 Birth of Modernist Architect Marcel Breuer: Marcel Lajos Breuer, a Hungarian-American modernist architect and furniture designer, was born on May 21, 1902, in Pécs, Austria-Hungary. He is renowned for designing iconic pieces like the Wassily Chair and the Cesca Chair during his tenure at the Bauhaus. Breuer's innovative approach significantly influenced 20th-century design. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 26 May 1902 Commemorating the legacy of the Venerable Bede: On May 26, 1902, the legacy of the Venerable Bede was commemorated, marking the significant contributions of this early English monk and scholar to history and literature. Bede is best known for his work 'Ecclesiastical History of the English People'. source: britannica.com
  • 27 May 1902 Old England wins 27th Preakness Stakes: On May 27, 1902, Old England won the 27th Preakness Stakes, a prestigious horse race held in Baltimore, Maryland. This victory added to the rich history of the Preakness Stakes, which is one of the three races in the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing. source: preakness.com
  • 28 May 1902 Chile and Argentina sign territorial arbitration pacts: On May 28, 1902, Chile and Argentina signed pacts for territorial arbitration, aimed at resolving disputes over borders and enhancing diplomatic relations. This agreement was significant in the context of South American geopolitics. source: britannica.com
  • 29 May 1902 Lord Rosebery inaugurates London School of Economics: On May 29, 1902, Lord Rosebery officially inaugurated the London School of Economics, marking a significant development in higher education focused on social sciences. The institution has since become a leading global university. source: britannica.com
  • 30 May 1902 Theodore Roosevelt's Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery: On May 30, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt delivered a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring fallen soldiers and emphasizing the importance of national unity and remembrance. His address resonated with themes of patriotism and sacrifice. source: archives.gov
  • 31 May 1902 Treaty of Vereeniging details: On May 31, 1902, details of the Treaty of Vereeniging were finalized, marking the end of the Second Boer War between the British Empire and the Boer Republics. This treaty had significant implications for South Africa's future governance. source: britannica.com