May 31 has been a day of significant historical events across centuries and continents.
From the rise of influential leaders and pivotal battles to devastating natural disasters and major political shifts, this date has seen moments that have shaped our world.
In this article, we explore 20 notable events on May 31, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of human history. Join us as we uncover the stories behind this remarkable date.
May 31st – On this Day in History
1279 BC – Rameses II (The Great) becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt
Rameses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, is often regarded as one of the most powerful and influential pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.
His reign, which lasted from 1279 BC to 1213 BC, was marked by numerous military campaigns that expanded Egypt’s borders and secured its wealth and influence.
Rameses II is also celebrated for his extensive building projects, including the construction of the temples at Abu Simbel and his mortuary temple, the Ramesseum. His reign is often considered the high point of Egypt’s power and glory in the New Kingdom period.
526 – A devastating earthquake hits Antioch, Turkey, killing 250,000 people
The Antioch earthquake of 526 is one of the deadliest seismic events in recorded history. Antioch, located in modern-day Turkey, was a major city of the Roman Empire and an important center of early Christianity.
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The earthquake struck in late May, causing widespread destruction and fires that ravaged the city. The death toll is estimated to have reached as high as 250,000 people. The disaster significantly weakened the city’s infrastructure and population, contributing to its decline in subsequent centuries.
1223 – Mongol invasion of the Cumans: Battle of the Kalka River – Mongol armies defeat the Kievan Rus and Cumans
The Battle of the Kalka River was a significant conflict during the early stages of the Mongol invasion of Eastern Europe. The battle took place on May 31, 1223, between the Mongol Empire and a coalition of Kievan Rus’ principalities and their Cuman allies.
The Mongols, under the command of generals Subutai and Jebe, employed superior tactics and strategy to decisively defeat the coalition forces. This victory demonstrated the formidable military capabilities of the Mongols and paved the way for their further incursions into Europe.
1578 – King Henry III lays the first stone of the Pont Neuf (New Bridge), the oldest bridge of its kind in Paris
The Pont Neuf, meaning “New Bridge,” is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris. King Henry III of France laid the first stone of the bridge on May 31, 1578. The bridge was completed in 1607 during the reign of King Henry IV.
Unlike many older bridges, the Pont Neuf was designed without houses or shops lining its sides, offering an unobstructed view of the Seine. The bridge has become an iconic symbol of Paris and a testament to the architectural and engineering advancements of the time.
1669 – Citing poor eyesight, Samuel Pepys records the last event in his diary
Samuel Pepys, an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament, is best known for his detailed and candid diary, which he kept from 1660 to 1669.
Pepys’ diary provides a firsthand account of major events in 17th-century England, including the Great Plague of London, the Great Fire of London, and the Second Anglo-Dutch War. On May 31, 1669, Pepys made his final diary entry, citing poor eyesight as the reason for discontinuing his writing.
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Despite ending his diary, Pepys continued to have a significant impact on English naval affairs and historical scholarship. His diaries remain an invaluable resource for understanding the social, political, and cultural life of his era.
1809 – Haydn, famous composer, dies in Vienna, Austria
Joseph Haydn, born in 1732, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. He is often called the “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet” due to his crucial role in developing these forms. Haydn spent much of his career as the court musician for the wealthy Esterházy family in Austria.
His music is known for its balance, clarity, and innovation. He was also a friend and mentor to both Mozart and Beethoven. Haydn died on May 31, 1809, in Vienna at the age of 77. His death marked the end of an era in classical music, but his compositions continue to be celebrated and performed worldwide.
1819 – Walt Whitman, American poet, essayist, and journalist, is born
Walt Whitman was born on May 31, 1819, in West Hills, New York. He is considered one of the most important American poets of the 19th century. His most famous work, “Leaves of Grass,” was first published in 1855 and went through multiple editions during his lifetime.
Whitman’s poetry is characterized by its free verse style, celebration of the individual, and embrace of nature and democracy. His work broke away from the traditional forms and subjects of poetry, influencing countless poets and writers.
Whitman also worked as a journalist and volunteer nurse during the Civil War. He passed away in 1892, leaving a lasting legacy in American literature.
1859 – The clock tower at the Houses of Parliament, which houses Big Ben, starts keeping time
On May 31, 1859, the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster in London began keeping time. This tower, which houses the Great Bell known as Big Ben, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United Kingdom. The clock was designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and built by Edward John Dent.
The tower itself was designed by Augustus Pugin and completed in 1858. Big Ben’s precise timekeeping and distinctive chimes have become symbols of British culture. Although the tower is commonly referred to as Big Ben, this name actually refers specifically to the bell inside the clock tower.
1889 – The Johnstown Flood: over 2,200 people die after a dam breaks, causing a flood in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
The Johnstown Flood occurred on May 31, 1889, when the South Fork Dam on the Little Conemaugh River failed, releasing 20 million tons of water. The floodwaters raced down the Conemaugh Valley, destroying the town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and killing over 2,200 people.
The disaster was one of the worst in U.S. history, causing massive destruction and loss of life. The flood was attributed to poor maintenance and neglect of the dam by its owners, the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.
The tragedy led to significant changes in American engineering practices and disaster response, and it remains a poignant example of the dangers of inadequate infrastructure maintenance.
1902 – Second Boer War: The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the war, and the British annex the Boer Republics
The Treaty of Vereeniging, signed on May 31, 1902, brought an end to the Second Boer War between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics of the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. The war, which began in 1899, was marked by fierce guerrilla warfare and significant civilian suffering.
The treaty’s terms included the surrender of the Boer forces, the British annexation of the Boer Republics, and the promise of eventual self-government for the Boers. The end of the war led to the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910, integrating the British and Boer territories into a single entity within the British Empire.
1910 – The Union of South Africa is created
On May 31, 1910, the Union of South Africa was established, uniting four British colonies—Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony—into a single dominion within the British Empire.
This political consolidation marked the culmination of British efforts to unify the region following the end of the Second Boer War in 1902. The creation of the Union of South Africa aimed to reconcile the British and Boer populations and to facilitate economic and administrative efficiency.
However, the Union also laid the groundwork for institutionalized racial segregation, leading to the implementation of apartheid policies in later years. The Union remained in place until it was replaced by the Republic of South Africa in 1961.
1911 – RMS Titanic is launched in Belfast, Northern Ireland
The RMS Titanic, one of the most famous ships in history, was launched on May 31, 1911, from the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Titanic was the second of three Olympic-class ocean liners built for the White Star Line and was designed to be the largest and most luxurious passenger ship of its time.
At its launch, the ship’s hull was floated for the first time, a significant milestone in its construction. The Titanic’s maiden voyage in April 1912 ended in tragedy when it struck an iceberg and sank, resulting in the loss of over 1,500 lives.
The disaster highlighted the limitations of early 20th-century maritime safety measures and led to significant changes in international maritime regulations.
1921 – Tulsa race massacre: A white mob destroys the Greenwood District, the wealthiest black community in the United States, killing around 300 African Americans
The Tulsa race massacre, one of the most devastating incidents of racial violence in American history, began on May 31, 1921, and continued into June 1.
The Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, known as “Black Wall Street” for its prosperous African American community, was attacked by a white mob following allegations that a black man had assaulted a white woman.
The mob looted and burned homes, businesses, and churches, killing an estimated 300 African Americans and displacing thousands. The massacre resulted in significant economic and social repercussions for the black community in Tulsa and remains a deeply tragic and painful chapter in American history.
1941 – A Luftwaffe air raid in the Battle of Crete sinks the Allied warships HMS Hereward and HMS Orion
During the Battle of Crete in World War II, a Luftwaffe air raid on May 31, 1941, resulted in the sinking of the Allied warships HMS Hereward and HMS Orion. The Battle of Crete was a significant conflict in which German paratroopers and glider-borne troops launched an airborne invasion of the Greek island of Crete.
The intense and well-coordinated German assault overwhelmed the Allied defenders, leading to the evacuation of British, Australian, and New Zealand troops.
The loss of the HMS Hereward and HMS Orion, along with other naval and ground casualties, marked a critical point in the battle and highlighted the effectiveness of German air power in the Mediterranean theater.
1961 – South Africa becomes a republic and leaves the Commonwealth of Nations
On May 31, 1961, South Africa officially became a republic, severing its ties with the British monarchy and leaving the Commonwealth of Nations. This move followed a 1960 referendum in which a narrow majority of white voters supported the establishment of a republic.
The change was largely driven by the National Party government, which sought to consolidate its power and further its policy of apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination.
The transition to a republic led to South Africa’s increasing international isolation as many countries condemned its apartheid policies. It wasn’t until the early 1990s, with the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic government, that South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth.
1970 – The 7.9 Mw Ancash earthquake shakes Peru with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), leaving 66,794–70,000 dead and 50,000 injured
On May 31, 1970, Peru experienced one of the deadliest earthquakes in its history. The Ancash earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.9, struck the coastal region and the Andean highlands. The quake’s epicenter was off the coast of Peru, but the most significant damage occurred in the Ancash and La Libertad regions.
The earthquake triggered a massive avalanche of ice and rock from Mount Huascarán, which buried the town of Yungay and other nearby villages. The disaster resulted in the deaths of an estimated 66,794 to 70,000 people and left about 50,000 injured.
It also caused widespread destruction of infrastructure and homes, making it one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in South American history.
1973 – The United States Senate votes to cut off funding for the bombing of Khmer Rouge targets within Cambodia, hastening the end of the Cambodian Civil War
On May 31, 1973, the United States Senate passed a measure to cut off funding for the bombing of Khmer Rouge targets in Cambodia. This decision came amid growing opposition to U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia following the Vietnam War.
The bombing campaign, which had been part of the U.S. effort to support the Cambodian government against the communist Khmer Rouge, was highly controversial due to its extensive civilian casualties and questionable effectiveness.
The Senate’s vote marked a significant step towards reducing U.S. military involvement in Cambodia, ultimately hastening the end of the Cambodian Civil War. The withdrawal of U.S. support allowed the Khmer Rouge to gain control, leading to their brutal regime under Pol Pot.
1991 – Bicesse Accords are signed in Lisbon between the Angolan government and UNITA, bringing a temporary end to the Angolan Civil War
The Bicesse Accords, signed on May 31, 1991, in Lisbon, Portugal, were an important peace agreement between the Angolan government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).
The Angolan Civil War, which began in 1975 following the country’s independence from Portugal, was a protracted and brutal conflict involving various factions and international interventions. The Bicesse Accords aimed to establish a ceasefire, disarmament, and the organization of multiparty elections.
While the agreement temporarily reduced hostilities and led to elections in 1992, it ultimately failed to bring lasting peace. Fighting resumed shortly after the elections, continuing until the death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi in 2002.
2005 – Vanity Fair reveals that Mark Felt was Deep Throat, the source who provided information to Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post
On May 31, 2005, the magazine Vanity Fair revealed that Mark Felt, a former top official in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was the anonymous informant known as “Deep Throat.”
Felt had provided crucial information to Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein during their investigation of the Watergate scandal in the early 1970s. This scandal ultimately led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.
The identity of Deep Throat had been a closely guarded secret for over three decades, fueling much speculation. Felt’s role in the scandal underscored the importance of whistleblowers and investigative journalism in holding powerful figures accountable.
2014 – Spain’s King Juan Carlos announces his intention to abdicate in favor of his son, Crown Prince Felipe
On May 31, 2014, King Juan Carlos I of Spain announced his intention to abdicate the throne in favor of his son, Crown Prince Felipe. Juan Carlos had been instrumental in Spain’s transition from dictatorship to democracy following the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975.
His reign saw significant political and social changes, including Spain’s integration into the European Union. However, in the later years of his reign, Juan Carlos faced declining popularity due to various scandals and health issues.
His abdication paved the way for a new generation of leadership under King Felipe VI, who formally ascended the throne on June 19, 2014. Felipe’s reign has focused on modernizing the monarchy and restoring its credibility.