May 04
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Anti-Bullying Day(United Nations)
A UN observance dedicated to raising global awareness of bullying and promoting safe, inclusive environments.
Bird Day(United States)
An annual U.S. observance celebrating birds and raising awareness of their conservation and well-being.
Cassinga Day(Namibia)
A national day commemorating the victims of the 1978 Cassinga massacre and honoring the struggle for Namibian independence.
Christianfeast day:
BlessedCeferino Giménez Malla, BlessedMichał Giedroyć, English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era(Church of England), F. C. D. Wyneken(Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod), Florian, José María Rubio, Judas Cyriacus, Monica of Hippo(1960 Roman Catholic Calendar), Sacerdos of Limoges, Venerius of Milan, May 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Various Christian denominations commemorate a host of saints and martyrs with feast days on May 4.
Coal MinersDay (India)
An annual observance in India honoring the contributions and sacrifices of coal miners to the nation's energy sector.
Death of Milan Rastislav Štefánik Day(Slovakia)
A Slovak national day commemorating the death of Milan Rastislav Štefánik, a founding father of Czechoslovakia.
Greenery Day(Japan)
A Japanese public holiday celebrating nature, greenery, and the environment, observed on May 4.
International Firefighters' Day
A global observance honoring firefighters and commemorating their bravery and sacrifices.
May Fourth Movementcommemorations:
Literary Day(Republic of China), Youth Day (China)
Commemorative days in China and Taiwan marking the May Fourth Movement's cultural and political legacy.
Events
The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV issues a papal bull Licet ecclesiae catholicae.
Pope Alexander IV issues the papal bull Licet ecclesiae catholicae, founding the Augustinian monastic order at Lecceto Monastery in 1256.
Religious reformer John Wycliffe is condemned as a heretic at the Council of Constance.
At the Council of Constance in 1415, theologian John Wycliffe is officially condemned as a heretic for his calls to reform the Church.
Assassination of the Swedish rebel (later national hero) Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson (27 April O.S.).
Swedish rebel leader Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson is assassinated in 1436, abruptly ending a popular uprising against royal authority.
Wars of the Roses: The Battle of Tewkesbury: Edward IV defeats a Lancastrian Army and kills Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales.
At the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, Edward IV secures a decisive Yorkist victory and ends the Lancastrian line by slaying the Prince of Wales.
In the papal bull Inter caetera, Pope Alexander VI divides the New World between Spain and Portugal along the Line of Demarcation.
Pope Alexander VI issues the papal bull Inter caetera in 1493, drawing a Line of Demarcation to divide the New World between Spain and Portugal.
Dutch explorer Peter Minuit arrives in New Netherland (present day Manhattan Island) aboard the See Meeuw.
Dutch explorer Peter Minuit arrives in New Netherland aboard the See Meeuw in 1626, embarking on the development of Manhattan Island.
The Imperial Theatrical School, the first ballet school in Russia, is founded.
The Imperial Theatrical School, Russia’s first ballet academy, is founded in 1738, initiating the country’s celebrated dance tradition.
Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III.
Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III on May 4, 1776.
Fourth Anglo-Mysore War: The Battle of Seringapatam: The siege of Seringapatam ends when the city is invaded and Tipu Sultan killed by the besieging British army, under the command of General George Harris.
The British army captures Seringapatam in 1799, leading to the death of Tipu Sultan and the end of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
Births
Khwaja Abdullah Ansari
Persian Sufi mystic and poet renowned for his insightful spiritual writings.
Alice Spencer
English noblewoman and influential courtier at the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.
Katherine Ferrers
English heiress and aristocrat later associated with legendary highwaywoman tales.
Chhatrasal
Indian Bundela ruler celebrated for his resistance against the Mughal Empire.
Bartolomeo Cristofori
Italian instrument maker credited with inventing the piano around 1700.
Françoise-Marie de Bourbon
Legitimized daughter of Louis XIV who became Duchess of Chartres.
Richard Graves
English Anglican clergyman and writer known for satirical novels and essays.
Jean-Charles de Borda
French mathematician and naval officer known for the Borda count voting method.
John Brooks
American Revolutionary War soldier and the 11th Governor of Massachusetts.
Deaths
Venerius
Venerius was an early 5th-century Archbishop of Milan. He guided the church during turbulent times under Emperor Honorius.
Arbeo
Arbeo was Bishop of Freising in Bavaria in the early medieval period. He is regarded as one of the first authors in the German-speaking lands.
Herman II
Herman II was Duke of Swabia from 997 until 1003. He was a notable member of the Ottonian dynasty.
Gotthard of Hildesheim
Saint Gotthard was a German bishop and monastic reformer. He is venerated as a patron saint of travelers.
Coluccio Salutati
Coluccio Salutati was a leading Italian humanist and Chancellor of Florence. He played a pivotal role in the early Renaissance.
Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson
Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson was a Swedish nobleman who led a major rebellion against King Eric of Pomerania. He is considered a national hero of Sweden.
Edward of Westminster
Edward of Westminster was Prince of Wales and heir to Henry VI of England. He was the only English heir apparent to die in battle.
George Neville
George Neville was an English nobleman briefly styled Duke of Bedford. He held several ecclesiastical posts in the Church of England.
Husayn Mirza Bayqara
Husayn Bayqara was the Timurid ruler of Herat renowned for his patronage of the arts. He presided over a cultural golden age in Central Asia.