Major Events of May 2018: 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 2018 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of May 2018: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 May 2018 Ashley Judd Sues Harvey Weinstein: American actress Ashley Judd filed a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein, alleging sexual harassment and claiming that he deliberately sabotaged her potential casting in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, marking a significant moment in the #MeToo movement.
- 02 May 2018 North Korea Releases US Detainees: In preparation for a summit with US President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un released three American detainees. National Security Advisor John R. Bolton announced this as a gesture of sincerity for upcoming diplomatic talks.
- 03 May 2018 2018 Gaza Border Protests: Tensions escalated at the Gaza-Israel border with multiple incidents: An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation resulted in a Palestinian man's arrest and injury while attempting to breach the security fence. Palestinian teenager Anas Abu Asr died from protest-related injuries, bringing the total death toll to 40. The Israeli High Court controversially declared the protests a 'state of war', effectively suspending human rights protections.
- 04 May 2018 North Korea-South Korea Time Zone Alignment: North Korea synchronized its time zone with South Korea at 23:30 local time, which was interpreted by the North Korean agency KCNA as a 'first practical' step towards potential reunification. Simultaneously, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a planned meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
- 05 May 2018 NASA InSight Mars Lander Launch: NASA successfully launches the InSight Mars Lander from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, marking the first interplanetary mission launched from the West Coast of the United States.
- 06 May 2018 Gaza Border Conflict Escalation: Tensions escalated at the Israeli-Gazan border when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) opened fire on three Palestinian men attempting to breach the border fence. The IDF also attacked a nearby Hamas outpost, alleging it was being used to launch incendiary devices aimed at burning Israeli agricultural fields.
- 07 May 2018 US Sanctions Against Venezuela: The United States imposed sanctions on three Venezuelans and 20 drug entities in response to trafficking activities. Vice President Mike Pence also called for the suspension of Venezuela's upcoming presidential elections, citing corruption concerns.
- 08 May 2018 Grenfell Tower Fire Aftermath: The Guardian reports on the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in London, which claimed 71 lives. Investigations reveal that cost-cutting measures, including rejecting non-flammable cladding, potentially exacerbated the disaster.
- 09 May 2018 Malaysian General Election Historic Defeat: The historic defeat of Barisan Nasional, the governing coalition of Malaysia since the country's independence in 1957, occurred during the 2018 Malaysian general election. This marked a significant political transformation in Malaysia's democratic history.
- 10 May 2018 Trump-Kim Summit Announcement: US President Donald Trump announced a planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, scheduled for June 12, 2018, in Singapore, marking a potential diplomatic breakthrough.
- 11 May 2018 Legendary Blood Donor Ends 60-Year Contribution: James Harrison, an 81-year-old Australian, made his final blood plasma donation after an extraordinary 60-year career. His unique blood composition was crucial in developing a treatment for Rh disease, saving over 2 million infants in Australia.
- 12 May 2018 North Korea Nuclear Test Site Dismantlement: North Korea announced plans to demolish the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site between May 23-25 in preparation for the upcoming Donald Trump-Kim Jong Un summit. They invited journalists from the U.S., South Korea, China, and Russia to report on the event.
- 13 May 2018 Surabaya Church Bombings: A family of six carried out three church bombings in Surabaya, Indonesia, killing at least 13 people. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack, which resulted in over 40 injuries and highlighted the ongoing threat of religious extremism in the region.
- 14 May 2018 US Embassy Moved to Jerusalem: The United States officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem on the 70th anniversary of Israel's founding, marking a significant and controversial diplomatic shift.
- 15 May 2018 Deadly Gaza Border Protests: On May 15, 2018, a significant and tragic event occurred at the Gaza border, where 58 Palestinians were killed and 1,700 were hospitalized during protests marking the US embassy's move to Jerusalem and Israel's 70th anniversary. The protests were met with severe military response from Israeli forces.
- 16 May 2018 North Korea Threatens to Cancel Trump-Kim Summit: North Korean authorities issued statements casting doubt on the potential Trump-Kim summit, challenging U.S. denuclearization demands and threatening to withdraw from negotiations if unilateral disarmament is insisted upon.
- 17 May 2018 Michigan State University Sexual Abuse Settlement: Michigan State University agreed to pay a landmark $500 million settlement to 300 survivors of sexual abuse involving former team doctor Larry Nassar, representing a significant moment in addressing institutional accountability.
- 18 May 2018 Santa Fe High School Shooting: A tragic school shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including 8 students and 2 teachers. An additional 12 individuals were injured during the incident.
- 19 May 2018 Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: The historic wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, marking a significant moment in British royal history. The ceremony was a global media event, attracting an estimated 1.9 billion viewers worldwide. The couple was officially titled the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, symbolizing a modern and inclusive approach to the British monarchy.
- 20 May 2018 Spanish Constitutional Crisis Continues: Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy maintained direct control over Catalonia, blocking the election of new councilors with support from Citizens Party and Workers' Party, further escalating the ongoing political tension.
- 21 May 2018 US Threatens Iran with Unprecedented Sanctions: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced potential 'strongest sanctions in history' against Iran, demanding an end to its nuclear program and withdrawal from the Syrian Civil War. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani rejected these demands, with Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif accusing the U.S. of 'repeating past errors'.
- 22 May 2018 Syrian Government Declares Damascus Safe After Recapturing Key Areas: The Syrian government successfully recaptured Yarmouk Camp and Hajar al Aswad from ISIL, declaring Damascus and its surrounding areas completely secure for the first time in 11 years, signaling a major turning point in the Syrian conflict.
- 23 May 2018 Iran's JCPOA Conditions: Following the US withdrawal from the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal), Iran outlined seven conditions for remaining in the agreement, including a demand for European banks to protect trade with Iran.
- 24 May 2018 Trump Cancels North Korea Summit: U.S. President Donald Trump canceled the planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, citing North Korea's 'tremendous anger' and 'open hostility'. He left open the possibility of future negotiations while warning of military preparedness.
- 25 May 2018 Ireland Votes to Repeal Abortion Ban: In a landmark referendum, Ireland votes to repeal the Eighth Amendment, effectively removing the constitutional prohibition on abortion and paving the way for more liberal reproductive rights legislation.
- 26 May 2018 Ireland Repeals Abortion Ban: Ireland's historic referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment passed with approximately 66.4% voting in favor, marking a significant watershed moment for women's reproductive rights.
- 27 May 2018 Israel Constructs Sea Barrier near Gaza: Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced the construction of a three-story high breakwater on Zikim beach, designed to block Gaza Strip residents from accessing the sea. The 'impenetrable' structure of stone and fence was planned for completion by year-end.
- 28 May 2018 Poland Seeks Permanent U.S. Military Presence: Polish Minister of Defence Mariusz Blaszczak discussed with U.S. officials the potential for permanent stationing of thousands of American troops in Poland, strategically aimed at deterring potential Russian aggression. This diplomatic engagement highlights Poland's ongoing concerns about regional security and its desire to strengthen military cooperation with the United States.
- 29 May 2018 US-China Trade Dispute Escalation: The United States government announced a significant 25% tariff on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods categorized as having 'industrially important technology'. The announcement included plans to publish a complete product list on June 15 and notify investors of investment restrictions and enhanced export controls by June 30.
- 30 May 2018 Harvey Weinstein Rape Indictment: A New York City grand jury indicts Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein for rape, marking a significant moment in the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct.
- 31 May 2018 US Imposes Steel Tariffs: The United States announced 25% tariffs on steel imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, marking a significant escalation in international trade tensions.