Historical Events
- May 1 Brandenburg-Prussia joins the Russian-led anti Swedish alliance by declaring war on Sweden during the Great Northern War
Halley Observes Baily's Beads
May 3 Edmond Halley observes total eclipse phenomenon "Baily's Beads"
Famous Birthdays
- May 4 Richard Graves, English writer, born in Mickleton, Gloucestershire (d. 1804)
- May 5 Daniel Dal Barba, Italian composer, born in Verona, Republic of Venice (now Italy) (d. 1801)
- May 22 François-Joachim de Pierre de Bernis, French cardinal and statesma, born in Saint-Marcel d'Ardèche, France (d. 1794)
Famous Deaths
- May 19 Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, English poet and statesman, dies at 54
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