Major Events of May 1908: 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 1908 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of May 1908: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 May 1908 Birth of Krystyna Skarbek: On May 1, 1908, Krystyna Skarbek was born in Poland. She would later become a renowned World War II heroine, known for her exceptional bravery and significant contributions to the Allied resistance during the war. Skarbek was a key intelligence operative who played a crucial role in supporting British special operations against Nazi Germany.
02 May 1908 Copyright of 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game': On May 2, 1908, the iconic American baseball song 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' was officially copyrighted by songwriters Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer. Interestingly, neither of them had actually attended a baseball game at the time of writing the song. The tune would go on to become one of the most recognizable sports anthems in American cultural history, traditionally sung during the seventh-inning stretch of baseball games.
03 May 1908 Unremarkable Day in 1908: While no significant historical events were documented for May 3, 1908, this date represents a typical day in the early 20th century, during a period of global industrialization and emerging technological innovations.
04 May 1908 First Passenger Flight Milestone: On May 4, 1908, significant developments in early aviation were taking place. While the first official passenger flight occurred on May 14, 1908, this period marked a critical transition in aviation history. Pioneering aviators were refining aircraft designs and testing passenger transportation capabilities, setting the stage for the revolutionary transformation of global transportation.
05 May 1908 Great White Fleet Arrives in San Francisco: The Great White Fleet, a significant naval demonstration of American maritime power, completed its historic global circumnavigation by arriving in San Francisco. This voyage, ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt, was a powerful display of the United States' emerging status as a global naval power.
06 May 1908 Death of Jean Rétville, French Religious Scholar: Jean Rétville, a French vicar and notable scholar of Hebrew prophecy, passed away at the age of 53. His work 'Le Prophétisme Hébreu' (Hebrew Prophetism) was a significant contribution to religious studies and biblical scholarship of the early 20th century.
07 May 1908 Birth of Max Grundig, German Electronics Pioneer: Max Grundig was born in Nuremberg, Germany, and would go on to become a significant figure in the electronics industry. As the founder of the Grundig electronics company, he played a crucial role in developing consumer electronics in post-World War II Germany. His innovations helped establish Germany as a leader in radio, television, and consumer electronics manufacturing during the mid-20th century.
08 May 1908 Birth of Arturo de Córdova, Mexican Cinema Pioneer: Arturo de Córdova was born on May 8, 1908, in Mexico City. He would become one of the most prominent actors in the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema, known for his charismatic screen presence and versatility across dramatic and romantic roles. Throughout his career spanning several decades, de Córdova worked in both Mexican and Hollywood productions, helping to bridge Latin American and international film industries.
09 May 1908 Dirk Fock Appointed Governor of Suriname: On May 9, 1908, Dirk Fock was officially appointed as the Governor of Suriname, a Dutch colony in South America. This appointment marked a significant moment in the colonial administration of the territory, reflecting the Dutch governance structure during the early 20th century.
10 May 1908 First Official Mother's Day Service: The first official Mother's Day service was held at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, meticulously organized by Anna Jarvis. This groundbreaking event marked the inaugural celebration of a day dedicated to honoring mothers and their profound contributions to family and society.
12 May 1908 Wireless Radio Broadcasting Patent: Nathan B. Stubblefield receives a patent for wireless radio broadcasting technology, a pivotal moment in the development of modern communication systems that would revolutionize information transmission and entertainment.
13 May 1908 First Major Commercial Oil Discovery in Persia: On May 13, 1908, a groundbreaking moment in global energy history occurred when the first significant commercial oil field was discovered at Masjed Soleyman in southwestern Persia (modern-day Iran). This landmark event marked the beginning of the Middle East's transformation into a crucial global petroleum production region, fundamentally altering geopolitical and economic dynamics for decades to come.
14 May 1908 First Passenger Airplane Flight: Charles William Furnas, a mechanic for the Wright Company, made history by becoming the first passenger to fly aboard an airplane. Piloted by Wilbur Wright, the Wright Flyer III carried Furnas approximately 600 meters in a groundbreaking 29-second flight, marking a pivotal moment in aviation development.
15 May 1908 First Public Celebration of Mother's Day in the United States: Anna Jarvis organized the first official public celebration of Mother's Day on May 10, 1908, in Grafton, West Virginia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This event marked a pivotal moment in recognizing mothers and their contributions to family and society. Jarvis, inspired by her own mother's dedication and love, campaigned tirelessly to establish a national day honoring mothers. The celebration quickly gained popularity and was officially recognized as a national holiday in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson.
16 May 1908 No Significant Historical Record: No verifiable historical event was found for May 16, 1908, based on available sources. This date appears to lack a notable documented occurrence.
17 May 1908 Death of Carl Koldewey, German Arctic Explorer: Carl Koldewey, a prominent German polar explorer and naval officer, passed away on May 17, 1908. Known for his significant contributions to Arctic exploration, Koldewey led important expeditions to the Arctic regions in the 1860s, including the first German North Polar expedition in 1868. His scientific and geographical research expanded European understanding of Arctic geography and maritime exploration during the 19th century.
18 May 1908 "In God We Trust" Mandated on US Coins: On May 18, 1908, the United States Congress passed legislation requiring the national motto "In God We Trust" to be printed on all US currency coins. This decision reflected the growing religious sentiment and national identity of the early 20th century, symbolizing the country's spiritual foundations and cultural values.
19 May 1908 Birth of Muhammad Ahmad Mahgoub: Muhammad Ahmad Mahgoub, a prominent Sudanese political figure and author, was born on this day. He would later become the 6th Prime Minister of Sudan, playing a significant role in the country's political landscape during the mid-20th century. As a writer and statesman, Mahgoub contributed to Sudan's post-colonial development and political discourse.
20 May 1908 Aldrich-Vreeland Act Reforms National Banking Regulations: On May 20, 1908, the Aldrich-Vreeland Act was enacted, significantly modifying the security deposit requirements for national banks. This legislative measure was part of the broader financial reforms of the early 20th century, aimed at stabilizing the banking system and preventing potential economic disruptions.
21 May 1908 First Horror Film Premieres in Chicago: The groundbreaking silent film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novella 'Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' premiered in Chicago, marking a significant milestone in early cinema and horror genre history. This film adaptation, starring notable actors of the era, introduced audiences to the psychological thriller concept and explored themes of duality in human nature.
22 May 1908 Wright Brothers: Pioneering Aviation through Biomimicry: On May 22, 1908, Orville and Wilbur Wright continued their groundbreaking aviation experiments, drawing inspiration from bird flight mechanics and applying principles of biomimicry. Their meticulous research and innovative design of wing structures and control mechanisms would ultimately revolutionize human transportation. By carefully studying bird wing movements and aerodynamic principles, they developed the first practical controlled, sustained flight aircraft, fundamentally transforming global transportation, communication, and warfare in the 20th century.
23 May 1908 Great White Fleet Arrives in Puget Sound: A segment of the United States Navy's Great White Fleet arrives in Puget Sound, Washington, as part of its historic global circumnavigation voyage.
24 May 1908 Death of Old Tom Morris: Old Tom Morris, a legendary Scottish golfer and one of the most influential figures in the early history of golf, passed away on May 24, 1908. Morris was a four-time Open Championship winner and a pivotal figure in developing the sport.
25 May 1908 First Major Commercial Oil Discovery in Persia: A groundbreaking commercial oil discovery is made at Masjed Soleyman in southwest Persia (modern-day Iran), marking the beginning of the Middle East's transformation into a global oil powerhouse. This discovery would have profound geopolitical and economic implications in the decades to follow.
26 May 1908 First Major Middle East Oil Strike: On May 26, 1908, a groundbreaking commercial oil strike occurred at Masjed Soleyman in southwest Persia (modern-day Iran), marking a pivotal moment in global energy history. The Anglo-Persian Oil Company (later British Petroleum) swiftly acquired the rights to this significant petroleum resource, which would fundamentally transform geopolitical and economic dynamics in the Middle East.
27 May 1908 First Major Commercial Oil Discovery in the Middle East: On May 27, 1908, a groundbreaking commercial oil discovery was made at Masjed Soleyman in southwestern Persia (modern-day Iran), marking a pivotal moment in global energy history. This discovery by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (later British Petroleum) fundamentally transformed the geopolitical and economic landscape of the Middle East, signaling the region's emergence as a critical global petroleum resource.
28 May 1908 Birth of Ian Fleming: Ian Fleming, the renowned British author and journalist best known for creating the iconic James Bond spy novel series, was born in London, England. Fleming would go on to write 12 spy novels and two short story collections featuring the legendary secret agent 007, fundamentally shaping the espionage fiction genre and popular culture of the mid-20th century.
29 May 1908 Indian Land Allotment Act of 1908: On May 29, 1908, the United States government passed a deeply problematic legislation that granted the Secretary of the Interior unprecedented power to sell Native American land allotments. Under this act, if the federal government deemed the heirs of a deceased Native American landowner as 'incompetent', the Secretary could unilaterally sell their inherited lands. This policy resulted in the massive dispossession of approximately 27 million acres of Native American territory, further eroding indigenous land rights and economic stability.
30 May 1908 First Federal Workmen's Compensation Law: The first federal workmen's compensation law was approved, representing a significant milestone in labor rights and worker protection in the United States. This law provided crucial support and financial security for workers injured on the job.
31 May 1908 First Female Airplane Passenger in Belgium: Miss Pottelsberghe de la Pottery made history by becoming the first airplane passenger in Belgium, marking a significant milestone in early aviation and women's participation in technological advancement.