- May 1 Adam Weishaupt founds secret society of Illuminati
- May 2 France and Spain agreed to supply weapons to American rebels
- May 4 Rhode Island declares independence from Great Britain
- May 12 French First Minister of State and Controller-General of Finances Anne Robert Jacques Turgot resigns after being ordered to do so
Authors
Dictators
Explorers
Outlaws
Queens
Spies