Historical Events
- May 2 After anchoring nearby, Captain Charles Fremantle of HMS Challenger, declares the Swan River Colony in Australia
Joseph Smith Ordained
May 15 Joseph Smith ordained by John the Baptist according to Joseph Smith
- May 24 Pope Pius VIII issues his program for pontificate
Famous Birthdays
- May 1 José de Alencar, Brazilian writer (O Guarani), born in Fortaleza, Ceará, Empire of Brazil (d. 1877)
- May 6 Phoebe Ann Coffin Hanaford, 1st female ordained minister in New England, born in Siasconset, Massachusetts (d. 1921)
- May 8 Louis Moreau Gottschalk, American pianist and composer, born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1869)
- May 9 Ciro Pinsuti, Italian pianist and composer, born in Sinalunga, Tuscany, Italy (d. 1888)
- May 12 Pavlos Carrer, Greek composer (Isabella d'Aspeno), born in Zakynthos (d. 1896)
- May 30 Levin Goldschmidt, German business law expert, born in Gdańsk, Poland (d. 1897)
