May 31: What Happened on This Day in History
May 31st marks the 151st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 152nd in case of leap years). There are 214 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 31st in history, famous birthdays on May 31st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 31.

What happened on May 31?
Here's what happened on May 31st in history:
- 2017: CBS terminated its agreement with Scott Pelley as anchor of CBS Evening News, though he will continue to work as a correspondent for 60 Minutes. This marked a significant change in the network's news leadership.
- 2016: Overnight air strikes in Idlib, Syria, resulted in at least 23 civilian casualties, further underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Syrian Civil War.
- 2015: Egyptian security officials reported that militants attacked a natural gas pipeline leading to Israel from El-Arish in North Sinai. This marks at least the 20th such attack in the past five years, highlighting ongoing regional instability.
- 2012: A series of coordinated bombings in Baghdad, Iraq, resulted in the tragic loss of 14 lives, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region.
- 2009: Russian cyclist Denis Menchov claimed victory in the 2009 Giro d'Italia, completing the prestigious cycling tour in Rome, Italy.
- 1997: James Bennett Griffin, a prominent American archaeologist who made significant contributions to the field, passed away. Griffin was known for his groundbreaking research and academic work in archaeology.
- 1992: The 46th Annual Tony Awards honored outstanding achievements in Broadway theater, with 'Dancing at Lughnasa' and 'Crazy For You' emerging as notable winners.
- 1989: The popular radio program 'Rambling with Gambling' aired its 20,000th episode on WOR-AM, marking a significant milestone in radio broadcasting history.
- 1980: Andrew Hurley, the American drummer for the popular rock band Fall Out Boy, was born on this date.
- 1976: Jacques Monod, a renowned French biologist and Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine, passed away. Monnet was a significant figure in molecular biology, known for his groundbreaking work on gene regulation and the operon model.

What famous birthdays are on May 31?
On May 31st there are the following famous birthdays:
- Clint Eastwood (1930)
Iconic American actor and filmmaker known for his tough-guy roles in westerns and action movies.
- Brooke Shields (1965)
Brooke Shields is a renowned American actress and model who rose to fame in the late 1970s and 1980s.
- Sandrine Bonnaire (1967)
Acclaimed French actress known for her versatile roles in both French and international cinema.
- Colin Farrell (1976)
Colin Farrell is a prominent Irish actor known for his versatile roles in films like 'Tigerland', 'Hart's War', and numerous other...
- Lea Thompson (1961)
American actress and director known for her iconic role in the 'Back to the Future' trilogy.
- Tom Berenger (1949)
Renowned American actor known for his roles in films like 'Platoon' and 'Major League', with a significant career in Hollywood spanning...
- Corey Hart (1962)
Canadian pop singer known for hit songs like 'Sunglasses at Night' and 'Never Surrender' during the 1980s new wave era.
- Alida Valli (1921)
Renowned Italian actress of international fame, Alida Valli was a prominent figure in European cinema during the mid-20th century.
- Joe Namath (1943)
Legendary NFL quarterback who famously guaranteed and won Super Bowl III with the New York Jets, revolutionizing the sport and becoming a...
- Denholm Elliott (1922)
Renowned British actor known for roles in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and numerous stage and screen performances.
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide

Who died on May 31?
On May 31st the following celebrities died:
- Arlene Francis (2001)
Arlene Francis was a prominent American television personality and actress, best known for her long-standing role on the popular game show...
- John Abraham (1987)
Prominent Indian film actor and producer known for his work in Bollywood and action movies.
- Jean Stapleton (2013)
Renowned American actress best known for her iconic role as Edith Bunker in the groundbreaking sitcom 'All in the Family'.
- Martha Hyer (2014)
American actress known for her roles in films like 'Day of the Wolves' and 'Night of the Grizzly', who had a notable career in Hollywood...
- Louise Bourgeois (2010)
Louise Bourgeois was a pioneering French-American artist renowned for her influential sculptural works that explored themes of memory,...
- Adolf Eichmann (1962)
A high-ranking Nazi SS officer who was a key architect of the Holocaust, responsible for organizing the systematic deportation and...

What day of the year is May 31?
May 31st marks the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 152nd in case of leap years).
There are 214 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 31st is the 31st day of the month of May.

What zodiac sign is associated with the day May 31?
The zodiac sign associated with May 31st is Gemini according to the Western Zodiac.
