Major Events of May 1919: 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 1919 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of May 1919: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 May 1919 German Troops Suppress Bavarian Soviet Republic: On May 1, 1919, German military forces entered Munich to suppress the Bavarian Soviet Republic, a short-lived communist state that had been established in Bavaria following the end of World War I. This intervention was part of the broader political instability in Germany during the post-war period.
02 May 1919 Munich Soviet Resistance Crushed: Weimar Republic troops and Freikorps forces decisively ended the Bavarian Soviet Republic after two days of intense urban combat in Munich. The operation resulted in 606 total casualties, including 335 civilians. Several key Soviet leaders were killed or arrested, including Gustav Landauer and Eugen Leviné, effectively suppressing the communist uprising.
03 May 1919 Fall of the Bavarian Soviet Republic: Weimar Republic troops and Freikorps paramilitary units decisively crushed the Bavarian Soviet Republic in Munich after two days of intense street fighting. The operation resulted in 606 deaths, including 335 civilians, effectively ending the communist uprising in Bavaria.
04 May 1919 May Fourth Movement: Student Protests in Beijing: On May 4, 1919, a pivotal moment in modern Chinese history unfolded as over 3,000 students from Peking University and 12 other colleges gathered at Tiananmen Square. These students passionately protested against the unjust provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, which proposed transferring German-held territories in China to Japanese control. The demonstration marked a significant turning point in Chinese nationalism and resistance against foreign imperial powers.
05 May 1919 May Fourth Movement Spreads in China: The May Fourth Movement expanded across Chinese cities, with student groups demonstrating solidarity with Beijing protesters who had been arrested during anti-imperialist protests at Tiananmen. This movement represented a critical moment in Chinese intellectual and political awakening, challenging traditional structures and foreign imperialism.
06 May 1919 Paris Peace Conference Resolves German Colonial Territories: In a significant post-World War I diplomatic decision, the Paris Peace Conference redistributed former German colonial territories. German East Africa was partitioned between Britain and France, while German Southwest Africa was assigned to South Africa, fundamentally reshaping colonial boundaries in Africa.
07 May 1919 Paris Peace Conference Territorial Decisions: During the Paris Peace Conference, the United Kingdom was granted control of German East Africa, a significant colonial redistribution following World War I. Belgium strongly objected to this territorial allocation, highlighting the complex geopolitical negotiations of the post-war period.
08 May 1919 Moment of Silence Proposal for World War I Remembrance: Edward George Honey proposed the innovative concept of a moment of silence to commemorate the Armistice of 11 November 1918, which marked the end of World War I. His suggestion would later evolve into a powerful global tradition of remembering fallen soldiers.
09 May 1919 Belgian Women's Voting Rights Expansion: As part of the progressive electoral reforms, Belgian women who were widows or single mothers of servicemen—those killed in action, taken prisoner, or involved in the resistance movement—were granted the right to vote and run for political office, recognizing their wartime contributions.
10 May 1919 Charleston Race Riot: A violent racial incident in Charleston, South Carolina resulted in the deaths of two Black men, highlighting the severe racial tensions and systemic violence prevalent in the post-World War I era.
11 May 1919 Bessarabian Soviet Socialist Republic Proclaimed: The Bessarabian Soviet Socialist Republic was officially proclaimed in Odessa and established in Tiraspol, marking a significant political development in the region that would later become part of Moldova during the post-World War I period of political reorganization.
12 May 1919 DUPE: 4th Far Eastern Championship Games: The 4th Far Eastern Championship Games were hosted on May 12, 1919, representing an important regional sporting event that promoted athletic competition and cultural exchange in the Far East.
13 May 1919 Estonian War of Independence: Strategic Alliance at Narva: During the Estonian War of Independence, the Estonian Army formed a critical strategic alliance with the White Russian forces near the city of Narva. This joint military operation aimed to counter the Soviet Red Army's advances and defend Estonian territorial sovereignty. The collaboration represented a significant moment in Estonia's struggle for independence, demonstrating the complex political and military dynamics of the post-World War I period in Eastern Europe.
14 May 1919 First Chair in International Relations Established: Aberystwyth University in Wales established the world's first academic chair dedicated to international relations. This groundbreaking position was endowed by David Davies and his sisters, marking a significant moment in the academic study of global political interactions.
15 May 1919 First Transatlantic Flight Departure: A U.S. Navy Curtiss aircraft (NC-4), commanded by Albert Cushing Read, departed from Trepassey, Newfoundland, embarking on a groundbreaking journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the Azores and then to Lisbon, Portugal. This marked a significant milestone in aviation history.
16 May 1919 First Transatlantic Flight by US Navy Aircraft: The US Navy Naval Curtiss aircraft NC-4, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Albert Cushing Read, departed from Trepassey, Newfoundland, embarking on a groundbreaking transatlantic flight to Lisbon, with a planned stopover in the Azores. This historic journey marked a significant milestone in aviation history, demonstrating the potential for long-distance aerial travel and expanding the capabilities of naval aviation.
17 May 1919 Greek Troops Capture Turkish Forces at Urla: During the Greco-Turkish War, Greek troops from Smyrna (Izmir) successfully captured 25 regular Turkish troops at Urla and forced the Turkish militia to retreat into Anatolia, marking a significant military engagement in the region's territorial conflicts.
18 May 1919 Early Transatlantic Flight Attempt: British pilot Harry Hawker and co-pilot Kenneth Mackenzie-Grieve made a pioneering attempt to complete the first non-stop transatlantic flight, highlighting the era's rapid advancements in aviation technology and exploration.
19 May 1919 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Begins Turkish Independence Movement: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk departed from Istanbul to Samsun with a small group of followers, initiating a pivotal resistance against the Ottoman government that would ultimately lead to the Turkish War of Independence.
20 May 1919 Kelud Volcano Eruption in Java: On May 20, 1919, Mount Kelud, an active stratovolcano located in East Java, Indonesia, experienced a catastrophic eruption that resulted in the tragic loss of 550 lives. The volcanic event was particularly devastating due to pyroclastic flows, lahars (volcanic mudflows), and widespread destruction of surrounding villages. This eruption is considered one of the most deadly volcanic events in Indonesian history during the early 20th century.
21 May 1919 Nineteenth Amendment Passes House of Representatives: The Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, passed the House of Representatives with a significant vote of 304–89. This landmark legislation was a crucial milestone in the women's suffrage movement, paving the way for women's constitutional right to vote in the United States.
22 May 1919 Mustafa Kemal's First Report to Ottoman Sultan: Mustafa Kemal dispatched his first report to the Ottoman Sultan, emphasizing the Turkish people's resistance to foreign subjugation and their strong desire for national sovereignty, which was a pivotal moment in the Turkish War of Independence.
23 May 1919 Third Anglo-Afghan War: Strategic Challenges: During the Third Anglo-Afghan War, British military forces experienced significant logistical difficulties in the Kurram border region. Stretched supply lines and communication breakdowns led to operational disorder, highlighting the challenging terrain and complex geopolitical dynamics of the conflict.
24 May 1919 Absence of Recorded Historical Events: While no specific notable historical events were documented for May 24, 1919, this date falls in the immediate aftermath of World War I and during the Paris Peace Conference. The world was experiencing significant geopolitical transformations, including the drafting of the Treaty of Versailles, which would formally end the war and reshape global political boundaries.
25 May 1919 Einstein's Theory of General Relativity Confirmed: During a total solar eclipse, scientists Arthur Eddington and Andrew Crommelin conducted groundbreaking astronomical observations that empirically validated Albert Einstein's revolutionary theory of general relativity. This scientific milestone demonstrated how massive objects like the sun could bend light, fundamentally transforming our understanding of physics and spacetime.
26 May 1919 Jay Silverheels Born - Indigenous Actor and Cultural Icon: Jay Silverheels, a Mohawk actor from the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada, was born on this date. He would later become famous for his groundbreaking portrayal of Tonto, the Native American companion to the Lone Ranger in the popular television series. Silverheels was one of the first Indigenous actors to achieve significant mainstream recognition in American entertainment, helping to challenge stereotypical representations of Native Americans in media.
27 May 1919 First Transatlantic Flight Completed by US Navy: The US Navy NC-4 aircraft successfully completed the first transatlantic flight, arriving in Lisbon, Portugal after an arduous 11-day journey. This groundbreaking aviation achievement marked a significant milestone in early 20th-century aerial navigation and demonstrated the potential of long-distance aircraft travel.
28 May 1919 Death of Madam C. J. Walker: Madam C. J. Walker, a pioneering African-American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and one of the first self-made female millionaires in the United States, passed away on May 28, 1919. Known for her groundbreaking hair care and beauty products, she was a significant figure in African-American economic empowerment and social progress during the early 20th century.
29 May 1919 Einstein's Theory of Relativity Tested During Solar Eclipse: Arthur Eddington conducted groundbreaking astronomical measurements during a solar eclipse, observing shifted star positions to test Albert Einstein's revolutionary theory of general relativity. This scientific expedition was a pivotal moment in modern physics, potentially challenging Newtonian physics and providing empirical evidence for Einstein's complex gravitational theory.
30 May 1919 Belgium Granted Mandate over Ruanda-Urundi: Following World War I, the Paris Peace Conference resulted in Belgium being granted a League of Nations mandate over the territory of Ruanda-Urundi, previously part of German East Africa. This colonial transfer was negotiated and agreed upon by the United Kingdom, reflecting the post-war redistribution of colonial territories among European powers.
31 May 1919 First Transatlantic Flight by US Navy Aircraft: The US Navy Curtiss NC-4 aircraft, commanded by Albert C. Read, successfully completed the first transatlantic flight, taking 15 days to cross from the United States and landing in Plymouth, England. This historic aviation achievement marked a significant milestone in early 20th-century aeronautical technology and international travel.