May 28 has witnessed a series of significant events across various fields. This article explores twenty notable occurrences on this day, highlighting their historical impact.
From ancient eclipses and pivotal battles to legal reforms and the founding of influential organizations, these events offer a glimpse into the past and its enduring legacy.
Join us as we delve into the milestones of May 28, showcasing the diverse and transformative moments that have shaped history.
May 28th – On this Day in History
585 BC – A solar eclipse occurs, as predicted by the Greek philosopher and scientist Thales of Miletus
Thales of Miletus, one of the Seven Sages of Greece, is often credited as the first person to predict a solar eclipse. According to historical accounts, Thales predicted the solar eclipse that occurred on May 28, 585 BC, during the Battle of Halys between the Medes and the Lydians.
The sudden darkening of the sky was interpreted as an omen, leading to a truce between the warring parties. This prediction is significant as it marked an early instance of applying scientific reasoning to celestial events.
621 – Battle of Hulao: Li Shimin, the Prince of Qin, defeats Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong
The Battle of Hulao took place during the transition period between the Sui and Tang dynasties in China. On May 28, 621, Li Shimin, who would later become Emperor Taizong of Tang, led his forces against Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong.
Also Read: May 27 Events in History
This decisive battle occurred near the Hulao Pass. Li Shimin’s victory solidified the Tang dynasty’s control over China and paved the way for a period of relative stability and prosperity known as the Tang Dynasty’s Golden Age.
1588 – The Spanish Armada sets sail from Lisbon to invade England
On May 28, 1588, the Spanish Armada, a fleet of 130 ships, set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia. The Armada was intended to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I of England and restore Catholic rule.
However, the mission was fraught with difficulties, including poor weather and logistical problems. The English navy, using smaller, more maneuverable ships and innovative tactics, successfully harassed the Armada.
The failed invasion marked the decline of Spain’s maritime dominance and the rise of England as a global naval power.
1644 – Bolton Massacre by Royalist troops under the command of the Earl of Derby
During the English Civil War, on May 28, 1644, Royalist forces led by James Stanley, the 7th Earl of Derby, stormed the town of Bolton in Lancashire, which was held by Parliamentarian forces. The Royalists killed approximately 1,600 people in what became known as the Bolton Massacre.
This event was one of the many brutal episodes of the war, characterized by intense fighting between the Royalists, who supported King Charles I, and the Parliamentarians, who sought to limit the king’s powers.
1754 – French and Indian War: In the first engagement of the war, Virginia militia under 22-year-old Lieutenant Colonel George Washington defeat a French reconnaissance party in the Battle of Jumonville Glen
The Battle of Jumonville Glen took place on May 28, 1754, marking the opening conflict of the French and Indian War, which was part of the larger Seven Years’ War.
A young George Washington, then a lieutenant colonel in the Virginia militia, led a surprise attack against a small French force commanded by Joseph Coulon de Jumonville.
Also Read: May 29th – On this Day in History
The engagement resulted in the death of Jumonville and several of his men, escalating tensions between the British and French in North America. This battle was Washington’s first military engagement and set the stage for his future prominence in American history.
1830 – U.S. President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act which relocates Native Americans
On May 28, 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law. This act authorized the president to negotiate with Native American tribes in the southeastern United States for their relocation to federal territory west of the Mississippi River in exchange for their ancestral homelands.
The implementation of this policy led to the forced removal of tens of thousands of Native Americans, including the infamous Trail of Tears, where thousands of Cherokee people died during the forced march to present-day Oklahoma.
The act was justified by proponents as a way to open up land for white settlers but is now widely condemned for its inhumanity and the suffering it caused to indigenous populations.
1851 – The first-ever chess tournament is held in London
The first international chess tournament was held in London on May 28, 1851, organized by Howard Staunton, one of the leading chess players of the time. The tournament took place during the Great Exhibition and attracted sixteen of the best chess players from Europe.
Adolf Anderssen, a German chess master, won the tournament, establishing himself as one of the strongest players of his era. This event marked a significant moment in chess history, leading to the development of modern competitive chess and the establishment of formalized rules and structures for chess tournaments.
1863 – The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first African American regiment of the U.S. Army, leaves Boston to fight in the Civil War
On May 28, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment departed from Boston to join the Union Army in the American Civil War. This regiment was one of the first official African American units in the United States military, composed primarily of free black men and led by white officers, including Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.
The 54th Massachusetts gained fame for its valiant assault on Fort Wagner in South Carolina, where they displayed extraordinary bravery and suffered heavy casualties.
Their actions helped to dispel doubts about the combat effectiveness of African American soldiers and contributed to the broader acceptance of black troops in the Union Army.
1892 – In San Francisco, John Muir organizes the Sierra Club
On May 28, 1892, renowned naturalist John Muir founded the Sierra Club in San Francisco, California, with a group of like-minded conservationists. The Sierra Club was established to promote the preservation and enjoyment of the wilderness in the United States.
Muir, who served as the club’s first president, was a passionate advocate for the protection of natural landscapes, and his efforts were instrumental in the creation of several national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.
The Sierra Club has since grown into one of the most influential environmental organizations in the world, continuing to advocate for conservation and environmental protection.
1905 – Russo-Japanese War: The Battle of Tsushima begins
The Battle of Tsushima, a pivotal naval battle in the Russo-Japanese War, commenced on May 28, 1905. Fought between the Japanese and Russian navies, the battle took place in the Tsushima Strait between Korea and Japan.
The Japanese fleet, under Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō, achieved a decisive victory over the Russian Baltic Fleet, which had traveled halfway around the world to relieve the besieged Port Arthur. The Japanese navy’s superior tactics, speed, and firepower resulted in the destruction of most of the Russian ships.
This victory secured Japan’s dominance in East Asia, marked the first time an Asian power defeated a European power in modern warfare, and contributed to the end of the war with the Treaty of Portsmouth.
1926 – 28 May 1926 coup d’état: Ditadura Nacional is established in Portugal to suppress the unrest of the First Republic
On May 28, 1926, a military coup d’état took place in Portugal, leading to the establishment of the Ditadura Nacional (National Dictatorship). This coup marked the end of the unstable and tumultuous First Portuguese Republic, which had been characterized by frequent changes in government and social unrest.
The coup was led by General Manuel Gomes da Costa and other military leaders who sought to restore order and stabilize the country. The Ditadura Nacional eventually evolved into the Estado Novo (New State), an authoritarian regime led by António de Oliveira Salazar, which lasted until the Carnation Revolution of 1974.
1934 – Near Callander, Ontario, the Dionne quintuplets are born to Elzire Dionne and her husband, Oliva
On May 28, 1934, the Dionne quintuplets were born in Callander, Ontario, Canada. The quintuplets—Yvonne, Annette, Cécile, Émilie, and Marie—were the first known quintuplets to survive infancy.
Their birth attracted international attention, and the Ontario government took custody of the girls to ensure their care and turned them into a tourist attraction, which included a specially built hospital and nursery called Quintland.
The exploitation of the quintuplets led to public outcry and legal battles, and they were eventually returned to their family in 1943. Their story highlighted issues of child welfare and the ethics of exploiting children for commercial gain.
1937 – Volkswagen (VW), the German automobile manufacturer, is founded
On May 28, 1937, the German Labour Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront), under the Nazi government, founded Volkswagen (VW) with the goal of producing affordable cars for the German populace. The company’s name means “people’s car” in German.
The iconic Volkswagen Beetle, designed by Ferdinand Porsche, became one of the most successful car models in automotive history. Post-World War II, Volkswagen played a significant role in the West German economic recovery.
Today, Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers, known for its wide range of vehicles and commitment to innovation and sustainability.
1940 – World War II: Belgium surrenders to Nazi Germany to end the Battle of Belgium
On May 28, 1940, during World War II, Belgium formally surrendered to Nazi Germany after 18 days of fierce fighting. The Battle of Belgium began on May 10, 1940, when German forces launched a blitzkrieg (lightning war) attack through the Ardennes, bypassing the heavily fortified Maginot Line and quickly advancing through Belgium and into France.
King Leopold III of Belgium decided to surrender unconditionally to prevent further destruction and civilian casualties. The surrender allowed German forces to focus on the remaining Allied forces in France, leading to the Dunkirk evacuation and the subsequent fall of France.
1961 – Peter Benenson’s article “The Forgotten Prisoners” is published in several internationally read newspapers, launching the Appeal for Amnesty 1961, a precursor of Amnesty International
On May 28, 1961, British lawyer Peter Benenson published an article titled “The Forgotten Prisoners” in The Observer and other international newspapers. In the article, Benenson highlighted the cases of individuals imprisoned for their beliefs, political affiliations, or peaceful activities and called for their release.
This article launched the Appeal for Amnesty 1961, which aimed to mobilize public opinion and apply pressure on governments to release these prisoners of conscience. The appeal gained widespread support and led to the founding of Amnesty International, an organization dedicated to protecting human rights and campaigning against abuses worldwide.
Amnesty International has since become one of the most influential human rights organizations globally, advocating for justice, freedom, and human dignity.
1964 – The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is formed
On May 28, 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was established during the first Arab League summit in Cairo, Egypt. The PLO was founded with the goal of creating an independent State of Palestine and to represent the Palestinian people. Initially, it aimed to achieve this goal through armed struggle against Israel.
Its founding chairman was Ahmad Shukeiri, and later, Yasser Arafat became the leader, significantly shaping the organization’s direction. Over time, the PLO evolved to include political and diplomatic efforts alongside its military activities.
The PLO gained international recognition and, in 1993, it recognized Israel’s right to exist, leading to the Oslo Accords and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority.
1975 – Fifteen West African countries sign the Treaty of Lagos, creating the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
On May 28, 1975, the Treaty of Lagos was signed by fifteen West African countries, establishing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The founding member states included Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
ECOWAS was created to promote economic integration and cooperation among the member states to foster economic stability, development, and improve living standards. Over the years, ECOWAS has also played a significant role in conflict resolution and peacekeeping in the region, including interventions in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
1991 – The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) ends the rule of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE) by capturing Addis Ababa
On May 28, 1991, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a coalition of rebel groups led by Meles Zenawi, captured Addis Ababa, effectively ending the rule of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE) and the Derg regime, which had been in power since 1974.
The fall of the PDRE marked the end of a brutal civil war and the beginning of a transitional government led by the EPRDF. This transition eventually led to the establishment of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, with a new constitution adopted in 1994. The change in power brought significant political, economic, and social changes to Ethiopia.
1998 – Nuclear testing: Pakistan responds to a series of Indian nuclear tests with six of its own, prompting the United States, Japan, and other nations to impose economic sanctions
On May 28, 1998, Pakistan conducted its first successful nuclear tests, known as Chagai-I, in response to a series of nuclear tests by India earlier that month. The tests were carried out in the Chagai Hills of the Baluchistan province and marked Pakistan’s entry into the group of nuclear-armed states.
These tests heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, both of whom had been longstanding rivals, particularly over the Kashmir region.
The international community reacted with concern, and countries such as the United States and Japan imposed economic sanctions on Pakistan (and India) in an effort to curb further nuclear proliferation and encourage both countries to engage in dialogue.
2011 – Malta votes on the introduction of divorce, which is subsequently allowed after the referendum
On May 28, 2011, Malta held a national referendum to decide whether to introduce divorce, which was not legally available in the predominantly Catholic country. The referendum resulted in a majority of voters supporting the introduction of divorce, with approximately 53% in favor.
Following the referendum, the Maltese Parliament passed legislation allowing for divorce, and it was signed into law later that year, making Malta the last European Union country to legalize divorce. The decision marked a significant shift in Maltese society, reflecting changing attitudes towards marriage and personal freedoms.