May 1:

A.D. 1328: The Wars of Scottish Independence end and England recognizes Scotland as an independent state.

A.D. 1704: The first newspaper advertisement is published in the Boston Newsletter.

Now, ads make up half the paper. Ugh.

A.D. 1753: Carol Linnaeus publishes Species Plantarum, the first taxonomic classification of plants.

May 2:

A.D. 1497: Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) departs from Europe for North America.

A.D. 1536: King Henry VIII accuses his wife, Anne Boleyn, of adultery and incest.

A.D. 1776: France and Spain agree to provide arms to American rebels.

A.D. 1833: Czar Nicolas bans the public sale of serfs.

May 3:

A.D. 1494: Columbus discovers Jamaica and names it St. Iago.

A.D. 1791: The first modern constitution in Europe is proclaimed by the Sejm of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

A.D. 1802: Washington, D.C. is incorporated as a city.

A.D. 1830: The first regular steam train passenger service is begun.

May 4:

A.D. 1415: John Wycliffe and Jan Hus are condemned as heretics at the Council of Constance.

A.D. 1493: Pope Alexander VI divides America between Spain and Portugal.

A.D. 1715: The first folding umbrella is presented in public in Paris.

A.D. 1814: French Bourbon rule is restored.