Major Events of May 1920: 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 1920 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of May 1920: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 May 1920 Babe Ruth Hits Historic Home Run for Yankees: On May 1, 1920, Babe Ruth hit his first home run for the New York Yankees, marking a significant moment in baseball history.
- 02 May 1920 Founding of the Negro National League: On May 2, 1920, the Negro National League was founded, providing a professional baseball league for African American players during the era of segregation.
- 03 May 1920 Polish Troops Capture Kiev in Polish-Soviet War: On May 3, 1920, Polish troops captured Kiev during the Polish-Soviet War, advancing into Soviet Ukraine.
- 04 May 1920 Romania establishes National Hero Day: On May 4, 1920, Romania established National Hero Day to honor those who died in World War I. The day is celebrated annually on Ascension Day, forty days after Easter, to commemorate both Romanian and foreign soldiers who fell on Romanian soil during the war. source: english.mapn.ro
- 08 May 1920 1920 Kentucky Derby highlights: The 46th Kentucky Derby took place on May 8, 1920, at Churchill Downs. Paul Jones won the race by a nose, narrowly defeating Upset, who showed impressive speed on the home stretch, and On Watch, who finished third. source: weather.gov
- 09 May 1920 Julio Acosta García inaugurated as Costa Rican President: Julio Acosta García was inaugurated as the 24th President of Costa Rica on May 9, 1920. He served from 1920 to 1924, succeeding Francisco Aguilar Barquero. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 13 May 1920 Eugene Debs presidential nomination from prison: Eugene V. Debs was nominated for president by the Socialist Party while imprisoned for his anti-war activism. His candidacy highlighted the political repression of dissenting voices during World War I. source: history.com
- 14 May 1920 Joan of Arc canonized as saint: Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church on May 14, 1920. This event recognized her contributions and martyrdom during the Hundred Years' War. source: britannica.com
- 15 May 1920 Canonization of Joan of Arc: Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XV on May 15, 1920. This event was a culmination of her legacy as a national heroine of France. source: britannica.com
- 16 May 1920 Spanish bullfighter Joselito dies: Joselito, a famous Spanish bullfighter, died on May 16, 1920, from injuries sustained during a bullfight. His death marked a significant moment in the history of bullfighting in Spain. source: britannica.com
- 17 May 1920 KLM's inaugural flight: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines conducted its inaugural flight on May 17, 1920, marking the beginning of its operations as one of the world's oldest airlines. This flight connected Amsterdam to London. source: britannica.com
- 18 May 1920 Birth of Pope John Paul II in Wadowice, Poland: Karol Józef Wojtyła, who would later become Pope John Paul II, was born on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. source: vaticannews.va
- 19 May 1920 Matewan Massacre: Labor Conflict in West Virginia: On May 19, 1920, the Matewan Massacre occurred in West Virginia, where a violent confrontation between coal miners and law enforcement resulted in multiple deaths. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 20 May 1920 First North American Regular Radio Broadcast: On May 20, 1920, the first regular radio broadcast in North America was transmitted, marking a significant milestone in communication history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 21 May 1920 Assassination of Mexican President Venustiano Carranza: On May 21, 1920, Mexican President Venustiano Carranza was assassinated during the Mexican Revolution. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 May 1920 Pope Benedict XV issues peace encyclical: On May 23, 1920, Pope Benedict XV issued the encyclical "Pacem, Dei Munus Pulcherrimum," calling for international reconciliation and lasting peace following World War I. source: vatican.va
- 28 May 1920 House fails to override Wilson's veto of Knox Bill: On May 28, 1920, the U.S. House of Representatives attempted to override President Wilson's veto of the Knox peace resolution but fell short, with a vote of 219 to 152, lacking the necessary two-thirds majority. source: nytimes.com
- 29 May 1920 The Great Louth Flood of 1920: On May 29, 1920, a severe flash flood struck the town of Louth in Lincolnshire, England, resulting in 23 fatalities and widespread destruction. The flood was caused by intense rainfall over the Lincolnshire Wolds, leading to the River Lud rising rapidly and inundating the town. source: louthtowncouncil.gov.uk
- 30 May 1920 Ralph Metcalfe - Olympic athlete born: Ralph Metcalfe, an American Olympic athlete renowned for his sprinting prowess, was born on May 30, 1920. He later became a prominent figure in track and field, earning multiple Olympic medals. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 31 May 1920 Gaston Chevrolet triumphs at Indianapolis 500: Gaston Chevrolet won the Indianapolis 500 on May 31, 1920, becoming the first French-born driver to secure victory in this prestigious American automobile race. source: en.wikipedia.org