Historical Events
- May 1 American Revolution: The Battle of Crooked Billet begins in Hatboro, Pennsylvania.
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben Takes Charge
May 5 George Washington appoints Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben Inspector General of the Continental Army
Famous Birthdays
- May 8 Johann Baptist Gansbacher, Austrian composer, born in Sterzing, Tyrol, Italy (d. 1844)
- May 18 Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry (d. 1854)
- May 28 Friedrich Westenholz, German composer, musicologist, and educator, born in Ludwigslust, Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Holy Roman Empire (now Germany) (d. 1840)
Famous Deaths
William Pitt the Elder (1708-1778)
May 11 British Prime Minister (Whig, 1756-61, 66-68) known as the `Great Commoner', dies at 69
- May 16 Robert Darcy, 4th Earl of Holderness, English diplomat and politician, dies at 59
Voltaire (1694-1778)
May 30 French writer, philosopher and playwright (Candide), dies at 83
