previous year1969
1970197119721973197419751976197719781979
1980next year

Major Events of May 1970: 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 1970 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of May 1970: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 May 1970 Nixon Announces Cambodian Campaign: U.S. President Richard Nixon announced a controversial military expansion of the Vietnam War, declaring that U.S. and South Vietnamese forces would attack Vietnamese communist troops in Cambodia, a neutral country. This decision sparked widespread protests across the United States and escalated tensions surrounding the Vietnam War.
  • 02 May 1970 96th Kentucky Derby Winner: Mike Manganello rode Dust Commander to victory in the 96th Kentucky Derby, completing the race in an impressive time of 2:03.4.
  • 03 May 1970 Kent State Shootings: A Tragic Day in American Protest History: On May 3, 1970, an anti-Vietnam War demonstration at Kent State University in Ohio escalated into a tragic confrontation when the Ohio National Guard fired upon unarmed student protesters, killing four students and injuring nine others. This event became a pivotal moment in the anti-war movement, symbolizing the deep social and political tensions of the era.
  • 04 May 1970 Kent State Shootings: A Tragic Day in American Protest History: On May 4, 1970, during the height of the Vietnam War, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed student protesters at Kent State University, killing four students and wounding nine others. The students were demonstrating against the United States' Cambodian Campaign, reflecting the growing anti-war sentiment among young Americans.
  • 05 May 1970 University of Washington Student Strike Against Vietnam War: On May 5, 1970, approximately 6,000 University of Washington students staged a massive protest against the Vietnam War. Triggered by the recent Kent State University shootings, students marched off campus and onto Interstate 5, heading towards the Federal Courthouse. This demonstration was part of a broader national student movement, representing a pivotal moment of youth activism and political dissent during the Vietnam War era.
  • 06 May 1970 First Ski Descent of Mount Everest: Yuchiro Miura, a Japanese adventurer and mountaineer, made history by becoming the first person to ski down Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. Using a parachute to help control his descent on the treacherous, steep slopes, Miura accomplished an extraordinary feat of extreme skiing that pushed the boundaries of human endurance and mountaineering skill.
  • 07 May 1970 Devastating Eruption of Mount Pelée: On May 7, 1970, Mount Pelée, an active volcano located on the Caribbean island of Martinique, unleashed a catastrophic eruption that obliterated the port city of Saint-Pierre. The volcanic event was particularly deadly, resulting in the immediate death of approximately 30,000 residents, which represented about 15% of the island's total population. The eruption was characterized by pyroclastic flows—extremely hot clouds of gas, ash, and rock that swept down the mountainside at incredible speeds, instantly destroying everything in their path. This disaster is considered one of the deadliest volcanic events in modern history and dramatically transformed the demographic and economic landscape of Martinique.
  • 08 May 1970 Student Protests Against Vietnam War: Following the tragic Kent State University shootings in Ohio, thousands of students across the United States protested against the Vietnam War on May 8, 1970, demonstrating the growing anti-war sentiment among young Americans.
  • 09 May 1970 Major Anti-Vietnam War Protest in Washington, D.C.: On May 9, 1970, between 75,000 to 100,000 war protesters peacefully demonstrated near the White House, expressing widespread public opposition to the Vietnam War. The massive, non-violent demonstration highlighted growing national discontent with U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia.
  • 10 May 1970 Jackson State University Shooting: During the second day of violent demonstrations at Jackson State University in Mississippi, state law enforcement officers fired into the crowd of demonstrators, resulting in 2 deaths and 12 injuries. This incident was part of the broader social unrest and civil rights tensions of the early 1970s.
  • 11 May 1970 Augusta Civil Rights Uprising of 1970: On May 11-12, 1970, Augusta, Georgia experienced a significant civil rights uprising. Sparked by the beating death of Charles Oatman, a 16-year-old African American, hundreds of black citizens protested racial injustice. The demonstration escalated into a riot where protesters targeted properties, and police responded with violence, killing six people and wounding dozens. The Georgia National Guard was deployed, and nearly 100 protesters were subsequently convicted.
  • 12 May 1970 Mayaguez Incident: US-Cambodia Maritime Confrontation: Cambodia seized the U.S. merchant ship Mayaguez and its 39-member crew in the Gulf of Siam. In a military response, U.S. troops recovered the ship and crew, but suffered 38 casualties during the operation, marking a tense moment in post-Vietnam War international relations.
  • 13 May 1970 Franz Stangl War Crimes Trial Begins: The trial of Franz Stangl, the former Commandant of the Treblinka concentration camp, commenced in Düsseldorf, West Germany. Stangl was a key Nazi official responsible for the systematic murder of approximately 900,000 people during the Holocaust, primarily Jewish victims.
  • 14 May 1970 Skylab Space Station Launch: NASA launched the Saturn INT-21 rocket, carrying the Skylab space station into orbit. This was a significant milestone in the United States' space exploration program, representing the first American space station.
  • 15 May 1970 Beatles' Final Record Release: The Beatles released their final record album, 'Let It Be', in the United States, marking the end of an era in music history.
  • 16 May 1970 Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix Winner: At the 23rd Cannes Film Festival, Robert Altman's groundbreaking film 'M*A*S*H' wins the prestigious Grand Prix du Festival International du Film, marking a significant moment in cinema history.
  • 17 May 1970 Thor Heyerdahl's Atlantic Expedition Begins: Renowned explorer Thor Heyerdahl embarked on a daring transatlantic voyage from Morocco aboard the papyrus boat Ra II, continuing his groundbreaking experimental archaeological expeditions to demonstrate ancient maritime navigation techniques.
  • 18 May 1970 Release of The Beatles' 'Let It Be' Album: The Beatles released their final studio album, 'Let It Be', in the United States. This landmark record marked the end of an era for one of the most influential bands in music history, symbolizing the conclusion of their remarkable musical journey.
  • 20 May 1970 Vietnam War Support March in New York: Approximately 100,000 people marched in New York City to demonstrate support for United States policies during the Vietnam War, reflecting the complex and polarized public sentiment of the era.
  • 21 May 1970 Ohio State University Unrest: The US National Guard was mobilized to address and suppress student disturbances at Ohio State University, reflecting the ongoing social and political tensions of the early 1970s, particularly surrounding the Vietnam War era.
  • 22 May 1970 Terrorist Attack on School Bus in Israel: Arab terrorists attacked a school bus in Israel, killing nine children and three adults in a tragic act of violence.
  • 23 May 1970 Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin's Assassin Identified: Yigal Amir, the Israeli assassin responsible for the murder of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, is noted in historical records. Amir's actions would later have profound implications for Israeli politics and peace processes.
  • 24 May 1970 Kola Superdeep Borehole Drilling Commences: The Soviet Union initiated the groundbreaking Kola Superdeep Borehole scientific drilling project, an ambitious geological research endeavor aimed at exploring the Earth's deep crust. Scientists and engineers began drilling what would become the world's deepest borehole, ultimately reaching a record depth of approximately 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) beneath the Earth's surface.
  • 25 May 1970 Indiana Pacers Win Third ABA Championship: In a decisive championship series, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Los Angeles Stars 4 games to 2, securing their third American Basketball Association (ABA) Championship. This victory further solidified the Pacers' reputation as a dominant team in the ABA during the early 1970s.
  • 26 May 1970 Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 Breaks Speed Record: The Soviet Tupolev Tu-144, often nicknamed 'Concordski', became the first commercial transport aircraft to exceed Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound). This groundbreaking achievement represented a significant milestone in aviation technology during the Cold War era, demonstrating the Soviet Union's advanced aerospace capabilities.
  • 27 May 1970 Devastating Ancash Earthquake in Peru: The 1970 Ancash earthquake triggered a massive landslide that completely buried the town of Yungay, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life with over 47,000 people killed. This was one of the deadliest natural disasters in South American history, causing widespread destruction in the Peruvian Andes.
  • 28 May 1970 Dublin Arms Trial Commences: On May 28, 1970, a significant legal proceeding began in Dublin, with several individuals being formally charged with arms-related offenses. This trial was likely connected to the ongoing political tensions in Northern Ireland during the early years of 'The Troubles'.
  • 30 May 1970 Jimi Hendrix's Penultimate Live Performance: Legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix performed at the Berkeley Community Theatre, delivering one of his final live concerts before his untimely death later that year. This performance was part of his ongoing musical journey, showcasing his extraordinary guitar skills and innovative musical style.
  • 31 May 1970 Ancash Earthquake in Peru: On May 31, 1970, a catastrophic magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Peru, causing massive destruction in the Ancash and La Libertad regions. The earthquake triggered a devastating debris avalanche of rock, ice, and mud that completely buried the town of Yungay, which had a population of approximately 20,000 people. The disaster resulted in approximately 50,000 confirmed deaths, 20,000 people missing, and around 150,000 injuries, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in South American history.