Major Events of May 1913: 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 1913 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of May 1913: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 May 1913 First Aerial Attack on a Warship: French aviator Didier Masson made history by conducting the first aerial attack on a warship in the Western Hemisphere. In a daring attempt, he tried to drop pipe bombs onto a Mexican gunboat, demonstrating the emerging potential of aircraft in military operations.
02 May 1913 United States Recognizes Republic of China: On May 2, 1913, the United States officially recognized the newly established Republic of China. American Chargé d'Affaires Edward T. Williams formally delivered President Woodrow Wilson's diplomatic message to Chinese President Yuan Shikai, marking a significant moment in diplomatic relations between the two nations during a period of significant political transformation in China.
03 May 1913 First Indian Feature Film Released: Raja Harishchandra, directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, was released on May 3, 1913, marking a pivotal moment in Indian cinema. This groundbreaking silent film, based on a mythological story, is considered the first full-length feature film produced in India and laid the foundation for what would become the world-renowned Bollywood film industry.
05 May 1913 Greece and Serbia Form Secret Alliance Against Bulgaria: Greece and Serbia signed a confidential bilateral agreement to coordinate military actions and present a united front against Bulgaria, further complicating the geopolitical tensions of the Balkan region.
06 May 1913 Women's Suffrage Bill Fails in UK Parliament: A proposed women's suffrage bill was defeated in the United Kingdom's House of Commons, with 219 votes against and 266 votes in favor, representing a setback for the women's rights movement in early 20th-century Britain.
07 May 1913 British Parliament Denies Women's Suffrage: On May 7, 1913, the British House of Commons voted against granting women the right to vote, continuing the long-standing resistance to women's political participation. This event was part of the broader women's suffrage movement in the United Kingdom, where women activists were fighting for equal political representation and democratic rights.
08 May 1913 Premiere of The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky: On May 29, 1913, Igor Stravinsky's groundbreaking ballet 'The Rite of Spring' (Le Sacre du Printemps) premiered at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The performance, choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky, was a revolutionary work that challenged traditional ballet conventions and sparked a near-riot among the audience due to its radical musical composition and avant-garde choreography. The ballet depicts a pagan ritual of human sacrifice and is considered a pivotal moment in the development of modernist art and music.
09 May 1913 17th Amendment Ratified: Direct Election of US Senators: The 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, fundamentally changing the method of selecting senators from state legislature appointments to direct popular vote. This landmark democratic reform significantly increased citizen participation in the federal legislative process and enhanced representational democracy.
10 May 1913 First Aerial Attack on a Warship in Western Hemisphere: On May 10, 1913, French aviator Didier Masson made history by conducting the first aerial attack on a warship in the Western Hemisphere. In a daring and pioneering mission, Masson attempted to drop pipe bombs from an aircraft, marking a significant milestone in military aviation and naval warfare tactics.
11 May 1913 Devastating Typhoon in the Philippines: A catastrophic typhoon struck the Philippines on May 11, 1913, causing unprecedented destruction in the Albay province. Massive 16-foot waves swept across the coastal region, resulting in a tragic loss of 827 lives. The storm's intensity and devastating impact highlighted the vulnerability of Philippine coastal communities to extreme weather events during the early 20th century.
12 May 1913 RMS Lusitania Secret Naval Refit: The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania underwent a covert modification by the Royal Navy, preparing it for potential wartime service. This strategic preparation would tragically foreshadow the ship's eventual sinking on May 7, 1915, during World War I, resulting in the devastating loss of 1,195 civilian lives during a German submarine attack.
13 May 1913 First Four-Engine Aircraft Flight by Igor Sikorsky: On May 13, 1913, Russian aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky successfully built and flew the world's first four-engine aircraft, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. This groundbreaking achievement demonstrated the potential for larger, more complex aircraft designs and laid the foundation for future multi-engine airplane development.
14 May 1913 Rockefeller Foundation Established: New York Governor William Sulzer approved the charter for the Rockefeller Foundation, which launched operations with a substantial $100 million donation from philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, marking a significant moment in American philanthropic history.
15 May 1913 Rockefeller Foundation Chartered in New York: On May 15, 1913, New York Governor William Sulzer officially approved the charter for the Rockefeller Foundation, a landmark philanthropic organization established with an unprecedented initial endowment of $100 million from industrialist John D. Rockefeller. This substantial donation represented one of the largest charitable contributions of its time, signaling a new era of strategic philanthropy focused on addressing global challenges in public health, education, and scientific research.
16 May 1913 International Financial Loan to China: On May 16, 1913, a significant international financial transaction occurred when a consortium of European banks advanced the first $1.2 million installment of a substantial $125 million loan to China. This loan represented a major economic engagement between European financial institutions and China during a period of significant geopolitical and economic transformation.
17 May 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: While no specific major historical events were documented for May 17, 1913, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many historical moments go unrecorded, especially for seemingly ordinary days. The year 1913 was a period of significant global transitions, with tensions building in Europe prior to World War I, technological innovations emerging, and social movements gaining momentum.
19 May 1913 Webb Alien Land-Holding Bill Passes: The California State Legislature passed the Webb Alien Land-Holding Bill, which legally prohibited Japanese immigrants from owning agricultural land in California. This discriminatory legislation was part of a broader anti-Asian sentiment in the early 20th century United States, specifically targeting Japanese immigrants and their economic opportunities. The bill effectively prevented Japanese farmers from purchasing or leasing land, significantly impacting their ability to establish agricultural businesses and economic stability.
20 May 1913 Birth of William Hewlett, Tech Pioneer: William Hewlett was born, who would become a renowned American engineer and co-founder of Hewlett-Packard (HP), a groundbreaking technology company that significantly shaped the computing and electronics industry in the 20th century. His innovative work and entrepreneurial spirit helped establish Silicon Valley as a global technology hub.
21 May 1913 Amelia Earhart's Transatlantic Flight Attempt: There is a historical inaccuracy in this record. Amelia Earhart did not complete a solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1913, as she was only 16 years old at that time. Her actual first transatlantic flight was in 1928 as a passenger, and her solo transatlantic flight occurred on May 20-21, 1932, flying from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland to Culmore, Northern Ireland. This pioneering journey made her the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean.
22 May 1913 Birth of Benedict Garmisa: Benedict Garmisa, an American politician who would later become notable in local or regional politics, was born on May 22, 1913. While specific details about his early life and political career are limited, his birth marks the beginning of a life dedicated to public service during the early 20th century.
24 May 1913 Long Beach Municipal Pier Tragedy: On May 24, 1913, a catastrophic pier collapse occurred in Long Beach, California, resulting in a devastating loss of life. The double-decked municipal pier, crowded with approximately 10,000 people, suddenly gave way, causing 35 women and one man to perish. The structural failure led to hundreds of celebrants plummeting through the wreckage onto the sand below, creating one of the most tragic maritime accidents in California's early 20th-century history.
25 May 1913 Royal Wedding Unites Prussian and Hanoverian Royal Houses: On May 25, 1913, Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia married Prince Ernest Augustus of Hanover in a significant royal ceremony that symbolically healed a long-standing political and familial divide between two prominent German royal dynasties. This wedding was a momentous diplomatic event, representing the reconciliation between the Hohenzollern and Hanover royal houses, which had been estranged for decades. The ceremony was particularly notable as it was one of the last grand gatherings of European monarchs before the impending upheaval of World War I, marking the twilight of the traditional European monarchical system.
26 May 1913 Igor Sikorsky's Four-Engine Aircraft Milestone: On May 26, 1913 (May 13 in the Old Style calendar), Igor Sikorsky achieved a groundbreaking aviation feat by successfully piloting the world's first four-engine fixed-wing aircraft. This historic moment represented a significant advancement in aircraft design and engineering, paving the way for future developments in multi-engine aviation technology.
27 May 1913 Theodore Roosevelt Testifies in Libel Trial: Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt appeared in court in Ishpeming, Michigan, to testify in a libel suit against the magazine Iron Ore. This legal proceeding highlighted Roosevelt's continued public prominence and willingness to defend his reputation even after leaving the presidency.
28 May 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: While no specific major historical events were recorded for May 28, 1913, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many historical moments happen without immediate documentation. During this period, the world was experiencing significant transitions, including the lead-up to World War I and ongoing technological and social transformations of the early 20th century.
29 May 1913 The Rite of Spring Premiere Causes Artistic Uproar: On May 29, 1913, Igor Stravinsky's groundbreaking ballet 'The Rite of Spring' (Le Sacre du Printemps) premiered at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, causing one of the most infamous riots in musical history. The avant-garde composition, with its radical choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky and revolutionary musical score, shocked the audience with its dissonant sounds, unconventional rhythms, and primitive, angular dance movements. The performance challenged traditional aesthetic norms, representing a pivotal moment in modernist art that challenged audience expectations and redefined the boundaries of classical music and dance.
30 May 1913 Treaty of London Ends First Balkan War: The Treaty of London was signed, officially concluding the First Balkan War and establishing Albania as an independent nation. This significant diplomatic agreement reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Balkan Peninsula, granting sovereignty to Albania and adjusting territorial boundaries among the regional powers.
31 May 1913 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution Ratified: The Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was officially declared ratified, marking a significant milestone in American democratic process by authorizing the direct election of United States Senators by popular vote, shifting power from state legislatures to the general electorate.