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Major Events of May 1904: 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 1904 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of May 1904: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 May 1904 Death of Antonín Dvořák: Antonín Dvořák, renowned Czech composer, passed away at the age of 62. Known for his significant contributions to classical music, particularly his Slavic Dances and symphonic works that blended folk traditions with classical composition.
  • 02 May 1904 30th Kentucky Derby: Elwood's Historic Win: The 30th Kentucky Derby was a landmark event in horse racing history. Jockey Shorty Prior rode Elwood to victory at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, with a winning time of 2:08.5. This race was particularly significant as Elwood became the first Kentucky Derby winner owned by a woman, Lasca Durnell, marking a groundbreaking moment for female ownership in the sport.
  • 03 May 1904 W. S. Gilbert's Final Play Premieres: The Fairy's Dilemma, the final full-length play by renowned playwright W. S. Gilbert, received its world premiere at the Garrick Theatre in the City of Westminster, London, England. This theatrical event marked the conclusion of Gilbert's significant contributions to stage drama, following his famous collaborations with Arthur Sullivan in the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas.
  • 04 May 1904 United States Begins Panama Canal Construction: On May 4, 1904, the United States officially commenced construction work on the Panama Canal, a monumental engineering project that would dramatically transform global maritime trade routes. This ambitious undertaking would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly reducing shipping distances and revolutionizing international commerce.
  • 05 May 1904 Cy Young's Perfect Game in Baseball History: On May 5, 1904, Cy Young of the Boston Americans pitched a historic perfect game against the Philadelphia Athletics at the Huntington Avenue Grounds. In this extraordinary performance, Young retired all 27 batters he faced, setting a milestone in modern baseball and demonstrating exceptional pitching skill.
  • 06 May 1904 Founding of the American Lung Association: The American Lung Association was established, marking a significant milestone in public health advocacy and respiratory disease research in the United States. This organization would go on to become a critical institution in promoting lung health, conducting research, and raising awareness about respiratory conditions.
  • 07 May 1904 Tokyo Celebration Tragedy: During a massive public celebration commemorating Japanese war victories, a devastating human crush occurred in Tokyo, resulting in 21 fatalities and 40 injuries. The incident highlighted the potential dangers of large, densely packed public gatherings.
  • 08 May 1904 Uneventful Day in 1904: While no specific major historical events are documented for May 8, 1904, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many days in history pass without globally notable incidents, but local or personal events may still have been meaningful.
  • 09 May 1904 Great Western Railway Speed Record: The Great Western Railway's 3700 Class locomotive 3440 City of Truro potentially set a groundbreaking speed record by becoming the first railway locomotive to exceed 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), marking a significant milestone in transportation technology.
  • 10 May 1904 Founding of Horch & Motorwagenwerke AG: On May 10, 1904, August Horch established the Horch & Motorwagenwerke AG in Zwickau, Germany. This automotive manufacturing company would later evolve into the renowned Audi automobile brand, marking a significant moment in German automotive history.
  • 11 May 1904 Carnegie's Peace Palace Donation: Andrew Carnegie, the renowned industrialist and philanthropist, donated $1.5 million to support the construction of the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, demonstrating his commitment to international diplomacy and conflict resolution.
  • 12 May 1904 Death of Scottish-Australian Politician: Robert Reid, a Scottish-born Australian politician, died of a diabetic coma. His passing represents a significant moment in early 20th-century Australian political history, highlighting the health challenges of public figures during this period.
  • 13 May 1904 Death of Ottokar Lorenz: Ottokar Lorenz, a distinguished 71-year-old German entomologist, died on May 13, 1904. As a notable scientist in the field of insect studies, his contributions likely advanced the understanding of entomology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • 14 May 1904 Clara Barton Resigns from American Red Cross: Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross and a pioneering humanitarian, stepped down from her role as president of the organization. She was succeeded by Mrs. General John A. Logan, marking a significant leadership transition in the humanitarian organization that Barton had established during the Civil War.
  • 15 May 1904 Photographic Documentation of Congo Free State Atrocities: On May 15, 1904, photographer Alice Seeley Harris captured a powerful and haunting image of Nsala of Wala from the Nsongo District. This photograph was part of a critical documentation effort exposing the brutal human rights abuses in King Leopold II's Congo Free State, helping to raise international awareness about the systematic exploitation and violence against Congolese people.
  • 16 May 1904 Birth of Lily Pons, French-American Opera Singer and Actress: Lily Pons was born on May 16, 1904, in France. She became a renowned soprano opera singer and actress, known for her exceptional vocal range and performances in both classical opera and Hollywood films. Her notable work included starring in the film 'That Girl From Paris' and establishing a significant career in the entertainment industry during the early to mid-20th century.
  • 17 May 1904 Maurice Ravel's 'Shéhérazade' Premiere: Maurice Ravel's song cycle 'Shéhérazade' premiered with soprano Jeanne Hatto at the Salle Nouveau Théâtre in Paris, France, showcasing Ravel's innovative musical style and orientalist influences.
  • 18 May 1904 China Opens Ports to International Trade: The Chinese Imperial Court issued a landmark edict expanding international trade access by opening the strategic ports of Chinanfu, Weishien, and Chantsun to foreign commercial interests. This decision represented a significant moment in China's gradual economic engagement with Western powers during the late Qing Dynasty period.
  • 19 May 1904 Anthony Bushell - English Actor Born: Anthony Bushell, a notable English actor who would later become famous for his performance in the play 'Journey's End', was born in Kent, England on this date. Bushell would go on to have a significant career in theatre and film during the early to mid-20th century.
  • 20 May 1904 Colonel Theodore A. Bingham Suffers Severe Workplace Injury: On May 20, 1904, Colonel Theodore A. Bingham, a prominent United States Army engineer, experienced a catastrophic workplace accident when a falling derrick broke both of his legs. As a result of the severe injuries, medical professionals were compelled to amputate one of his legs. This incident highlights the dangerous working conditions and occupational risks faced by engineers and construction workers during the early 20th century.
  • 21 May 1904 FIFA Founded in Paris: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was officially established in Paris, France, marking a pivotal moment in international soccer governance. This organization would go on to become the global governing body for association football, standardizing rules and organizing major international tournaments.
  • 22 May 1904 Lake Shore Novelty Works Factory Explosion: On May 22, 1904, a catastrophic explosion completely destroyed the Lake Shore Novelty Works factory in Findlay, Ohio, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven workers. The incident highlighted the dangerous working conditions and industrial safety challenges prevalent in early 20th-century manufacturing facilities.
  • 23 May 1904 Wright Brothers' First Flight Attempt with Wright Flyer II: On May 23, 1904, Orville and Wilbur Wright conducted their first significant flight attempt with their improved Wright Flyer II at Huffman Prairie, near Dayton, Ohio. This experimental flight was a crucial step in their ongoing efforts to develop a controllable, powered aircraft following their historic first powered flight at Kitty Hawk in December 1903. The Wright Flyer II represented an important iteration in their aircraft design, incorporating lessons learned from their previous experiments and aiming to improve stability and maneuverability.
  • 24 May 1904 Birth of Arthur Roy Clapham: Arthur Roy Clapham, a distinguished British botanist, was born in Norwich, England. He would go on to become a significant contributor to botanical research and taxonomy in the mid-20th century, known for his extensive work in plant classification and ecological studies.
  • 25 May 1904 Russo-Japanese War Battle of Kinchau and Nanshan: During the Russo-Japanese War, Japanese military forces launched a bombardment of Russian positions at Kinchau and Nanshan, marking a significant engagement in the conflict.
  • 26 May 1904 Wright Brothers' Successful Flight of Wright Flyer II: On May 26, 1904, Orville Wright achieved a significant milestone in aviation history by completing the first successful flight of the Wright Flyer II at Huffman Prairie, Ohio. This flight represented a critical advancement in the Wright brothers' ongoing experiments with powered, controlled aircraft. Building upon their groundbreaking first flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903, the Wright Flyer II demonstrated improved design and flight characteristics, bringing them closer to developing a practical, controllable aircraft.
  • 27 May 1904 Empress Dowager Cixi Portrait Arrives in America: American artist Katharine Carl's portrait of Empress Dowager Cixi of China arrived in the United States aboard the steamship Siberia, destined for exhibition at the World's Fair. This artwork represented a significant cultural exchange and diplomatic gesture between China and the United States during the early 20th century.
  • 28 May 1904 Racial Violence Incident in New York City: In a disturbing incident highlighting the racial tensions of the early 20th century, Charles Green, an African American man, was nearly lynched in New York City after allegedly attacking two girls who were taking photographs. This event underscores the pervasive racism and threat of mob violence faced by African Americans during this period.
  • 29 May 1904 Death of Sultan Abu Bakar of Pahang: Sultan Abu Bakar, the ruler of Pahang, passed away at his royal residence, Istana Hinggap, located in Pekan, Pahang. At the time, Pahang was part of the Federated Malay States under British colonial administration. His death marked a significant moment in the political transition of the Malay sultanate during the early 20th century.
  • 30 May 1904 Baltimore Mayor Robert McLane Dies: On May 30, 1904, Robert McLane, the Mayor of Baltimore, died from a gunshot wound to the head, which was officially classified as a suicide, marking a tragic end to his political career.
  • 31 May 1904 Dorr v. United States Supreme Court Decision on Philippine Rights: In a landmark legal ruling, the Supreme Court held that inhabitants of the Philippine Islands, then under U.S. colonial control, were not guaranteed the constitutional right to trial by jury. This decision was part of the broader legal framework defining the status of territories acquired after the Spanish-American War, effectively establishing a discriminatory legal precedent that denied full constitutional protections to colonial subjects.