Execution of Waltheof
William permits Earl Waltheof's execution for involvement in the revolt of the earls, eliminating a prominent English magnate.
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On this date in world history
May 31 in History
This permanent archive page contains 222 World History Database records for May 31, spanning 1076 to 2025. Recorded topics include Execution of Waltheof; Arrest of Gustavus I Vasa; Independence of Sweden.
Total: 222Events: 195Births: 6Deaths: 5Battles: 13Coronations: 3Countries: 30
Events on May 31
Arrest of Gustavus I Vasa
Held in Kalc slot but escapes, returning by ship to Kalmar on the southeastern side of Sweden on 31 May 1520
Independence of Sweden
Held in Kalc slot but escapes, returning by ship to Kalmar on the southeastern side of Sweden on 31 May 1520
Meeting with Francis I
Accompanies Henry VIII to Calais in preparation for a visit to meet Francis I
Meeting with With Francois
Arrives in Calais to meet with Francois
Marriage
A tribunal opens to deliberate over the divorce of King Henry from Catherine of Aragon
Mobilization
Arrives in Cambridge to gather horse and reinforce the Eastern Association before rejoining the main campaign.
Civil War
Asked by Charles to leave Scotland because Charles has joined the Covenanters
Covenanters
Asked by Charles to leave Scotland because Charles has joined the Covenanters
Exile of James Graham
Defeated trying to join Charles I after his defeat at Naseby, flees to the Highlands
Invasion of Scotland
Montrose receives a letter from Charles I asking him to withdraw from Scotland
Invasion of Scotland
Asked by Charles to leave Scotland because Charles has joined the Covenanters
Siege of Highlands
Defeated trying to join Charles I after his defeat at Naseby, flees to the Highlands
Health of Samuel Pepys
Failing eyesight forces Samuel Pepys to make his final diary entry
Commander-in-Chief English Forces Abroad
Appointed commander-in-chief of the English forces serving abroad.
Pragmatic Sanction, The
Frederick disputed the succession of the 23-year-old Maria Theresa to the Habsburg lands, while simultaneously making his own claim on Silesia
Pragmatic Sanction, The
Upon succeeding to the throne and desiring the prosperous Austrian province of Silesia Frederick declines to endorse the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713
Rule of Silesia
Upon succeeding to the throne and desiring the prosperous Austrian province of Silesia Frederick declines to endorse the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713
Coup
A Jacobin committee of Marat & Montagnards calls Paris "to arms" against the Girondins
Coup
A Jacobin committee of Marat and Montagnards calls Paris "to arms" against the Girondins.
Coup
ending with a widespread program of execution, the Reign of Terror in their last months.
Coup
The Jacobins assumed more and more power during the spring of 1793, with the support of the Parisian mob, which overawed the Convention, culminating in a coup at the end of May.
Coup
The Jacobins will hold power until the summer of 1794, and they repeatedly purged the Convention of those they held disloyal to the Republic.
Execution
The Jacobins will hold power until the summer of 1794, and they repeatedly purged the Convention of those they held disloyal to the Republic, ending with a widespread program of execution, the Reign of Terror in their last months
Execution
The Jacobins will hold power until the summer of 1794, and they repeatedly purged the Convention of those they held disloyal to the Republic, ending with a widespread program of execution, the Reign of Terror in their last months.
Reign of Terror
Robespierre promoted a Republic of Virtue while Jacobin rule intensified repression before his overthrow on 9 Thermidor.
Reign of Terror
The Jacobins will hold power until the summer of 1794, and they repeatedly purged the Convention of those they held disloyal to the Republic, ending with a widespread program of execution, the Reign of Terror in their last months. Robespierre tries to found the Republic of Virtue, until the Jacobins last purge, 9 Thermidor, in July 1794, executed Robespierre himself
Vote against Girondins
Barras sided against the Girondins during the Convention's escalating factional struggle.
President of Switzerland
Appointed President of the Diet, 2nd term
Bloemfontein Conference
Resists British demands over uitlander rights.
Bloemfontein Conference
Fails to settle the franchise dispute with Kruger.
Capture of Johannesburg
British troops occupy Johannesburg.
Capture of Johannesburg
Johannesburg falls to the British
Occupation of the Rand
British troops occupy the Rand
Siege of Johannesburg
British troops occupy Johannesburg
Siege of Pretoria
British troops enter Pretoria during Roberts's advance.
British Peace Settlement
Represents British imperial policy in the postwar settlement.
Peace Agreement Signed
Accepts Boer surrender terms ending the South African War.
Second Boer War Ends
Accepts peace while seeking future self-government for Afrikaners.
Treaty of Vereeniging
Signs the Treaty of Vereeniging ending the Second Boer War.
Treaty of Vereeniging
The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the Second Boer War.
Treaty of Vereeniging
Burger signs the Treaty of Vereeniging as a senior Transvaal representative, formally ending the war.
Treaty of Vereeniging
De Wet signs the peace settlement that ends the Second Boer War after the Boer representatives accept British sovereignty.
Treaty of Vereeniging
Signs the final peace agreement at Melrose House.
Treaty of Vereeniging
The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the Second Boer War.
Treaty of Vereeniging
Signs the peace settlement ending the war.
Treaty of Vereeniging
The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the Second Boer War.
Defection
Crosses the House of Commons to become a Liberal
Liberal Party
Sits on the opposition benches for the 1st time
Constitution of South Africa
South Africa becomes a self-governing Dominion of the British Empire. Proclamation of the Union of South Africa
First Union Cabinet
Heads the first cabinet of the Union of South Africa.
First Union Government
Heads the new dominion formed from four former colonies.
Free State
Composed of Natal, Cape of Good Hope, Orange Free State & the Transvaal
Governor General Takes Office
Represents the Crown in the newly unified dominion.
Independence of South Africa
South Africa becomes a self-governing Dominion of the British Empire
Unification
Proclamation of the Union of South Africa. Composed of Natal, Cape of Good Hope, Orange Free State & the Transvaal
Union Government Begins
Begins governing the new dominion from its administrative capital.
Union of South Africa
Takes office as first prime minister when the Union begins.
Union of South Africa
Takes office as governor general when South Africa becomes a union.
Olympic Delivery Attendance
Joins owner and builder representatives travelling to Olympic after Titanic's launch before Olympic departs Belfast for Liverpool.
Titanic Hull Launch
Witnesses the completed hull enter the water before the fitting-out phase begins.
Titanic Launch
Harland and Wolff launches Titanic from Slipway Number 3 in Belfast.
Constitution of USA
The 17th Amendment to the US Constitution allows for the popular election of senators
Election
The 17th Amendment to the US Constitution allows for the popular election of senators
Bombing of London
German Zeppelins bombard the suburbs of London
London Zeppelin Bombing
German Zeppelins bombard suburbs of London.
Battlecruisers Turn East before Grand Fleet
Beatty turns eastward as he approaches Jellicoe, helping clear the deployment area for the battlefleet.
Beatty Reports German Fleet Position
Beatty sends position information as Jellicoe prepares the Grand Fleet for deployment.
Beatty Turns North before High Seas Fleet
Beatty reverses course to lead Hipper and Scheer toward Jellicoe's approaching Grand Fleet.
Beatty Turns toward Hipper
Beatty alters course to bring his battlecruisers into action against Hipper's First Scouting Group.
German Fleet Drawn toward Jellicoe
Beatty fulfils the battlecruiser scouting role by bringing Scheer's fleet toward Jellicoe's battleships.
Grand Fleet
Commands the Grand Fleet in the Battle of Jutland
Grand Fleet Deployment Supported by Beatty Screen
Beatty's battlecruisers operate ahead of the deploying Grand Fleet as Jellicoe forms his battle line.
High Seas Fleet Sighted
Beatty identifies Scheer's approaching battlefleet and realises his force has been drawn toward superior numbers.
Hipper Force Re-engaged near Grand Fleet
Beatty's surviving battlecruisers renew action as Hipper's ships encounter the Grand Fleet.
HMS Engadine Seaplane Reconnaissance Used
A seaplane from HMS Engadine scouts ahead of Beatty's force and reports German ships during the approach to battle.
HMS Galatea Reports Enemy Contact
A sighting report from Galatea helps draw Beatty toward Hipper's battlecruisers.
HMS Indefatigable Lost at Jutland
Indefatigable explodes under German battlecruiser fire during the Run to the South.
HMS Lion Magazine Flooded
Emergency flooding prevents flash from reaching Lion's magazines after the Q-turret hit.
HMS Lion Q Turret Hit
A German shell penetrates Lion's Q turret and creates a serious risk of a magazine explosion.
HMS Princess Royal Damaged at Jutland
Princess Royal suffers German hits while remaining in action with Beatty's battlecruiser force.
HMS Queen Mary Lost at Jutland
Queen Mary is destroyed by catastrophic magazine explosions during the battlecruiser action.
HMS Tiger Continues Battlecruiser Action
Tiger remains with Beatty's force through the main phases of the Jutland battle.
Jutland Scouting Screen Deployed
Beatty spreads light cruisers ahead of his capital ships to search for Hipper's scouting force.
Nightfall Ends Beatty's Main Gun Action
Fading light reduces Beatty's opportunity to maintain effective heavy-gun contact with the German fleet.
Run to the North Begins
Beatty leads the German forces north toward the main body of the Grand Fleet.
Run to the South Begins
Beatty pursues Hipper southward as both battlecruiser forces exchange heavy gunfire.
War Office
Stands alone in criticizing the Government during the War Office vote
Australian Corps Command Assumed
Monash assumes command of the newly unified Australian Corps.
Siege of Odessa
Stalin signs an instruction of the Revo-lutionary Military Council of the South-Western Front to the Command of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Armies on measures for the defense of Odessa
Government Ends
His government ends in Helsinki, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Finland.
Prime Minister
Takes office as Prime Minister of Finland and forms a government in Helsinki.
Coup
Leeds a coup
Coup
Deposed by a military revolt & forced into exile
Exile of Bernardino Luis Machado
Deposed by a military revolt & forced into exile
Peace
Nationalist China signs the Tanggu Truce with Japan, establishing a demilitarized zone south of the Great Wall.
Election
Derby, seconded by Churchill, proposes Chamberlain for Leadership
Election
Derby, seconded by Churchill, proposes Chamberlain for Leadership
Election
Derby, seconded by Churchill, proposes Chamberlain for Leadership
British Expeditionary Force (BEF)
Decides to evacuate all 3 remaining Divisions of the BEF on 1st June
British Expeditionary Force (BEF)
Gort returns to Britain & Alexander is put in charge of the 3 BEF Divisions at Dunkirk
British Expeditionary Force (BEF)
The Commander of the BEF follows Cabinet orders & returns to Britain
Evacuation
Gort returns to Britain & Alexander is put in charge of the 3 BEF Divisions at Dunkirk
Evacuation
Ignores orders from Gort & the French to stay. Decides to evacuate all 3 remaining Divisions of the BEF on 1st June
Evacuation
The Commander of the BEF follows Cabinet orders & returns to Britain
First Army
The French First Army surrenders
French Crisis and Narvik
Argues the French front has priority despite the Allied success at Narvik.
Operation Alphabet
Manages withdrawal arrangements while maintaining pressure on German forces.
Operation Alphabet
Coordinates naval arrangements for removing Allied troops from Narvik.
Result of Surrender of French First Army
German terms are presented to the surrounded French force, leading toward its capitulation.
Result of Surrender of French First Army
The French First Army ceases organised resistance and passes into German control.
Supreme War Council
Travels with Churchill for the Paris council meeting.
Supreme War Council
Announces evacuation figures from Dunkirk during a Supreme War Council meeting.
Supreme War Council
Attends as Allied leaders discuss evacuation from Norway and France.
Supreme War Council
Attends the council as Allied strategy shifts during the Dunkirk evacuation.
Supreme War Council
Discusses Dunkirk and Norway with French leaders.
Supreme War Council
Discusses Narvik and Dunkirk with French leaders.
Supreme War Council
Meets the Allied Supreme War Council and declares Britain will fight on.
Supreme War Council
Promises to fight on despite the worsening military position.
Supreme War Council
Accompanies Churchill during the Paris crisis meeting.
Supreme War Council
Assists Churchill at the council meeting as France nears collapse.
Supreme War Council
Questions prospects as France approaches military collapse.
Supreme War Council
Meets Churchill as Dunkirk evacuation and Italy are discussed.
Supreme War Council
Warns against any separate French surrender during discussions.
Supreme War Council
Represents French air concerns as Allied resources are debated.
Supreme War Council
Reviews the military situation with Churchill and Reynaud.
Supreme War Council Narvik
Meets Churchill as Narvik success is overshadowed by events in France.
Surrender of French First Army
Offers the French their terms of surrender
Surrender of French First Army
The French First Army surrenders
Capture of Crete
Germany captues Crete
K-25 Surveying Begins
Surveying begins for the massive K-25 gaseous-diffusion uranium-enrichment plant at Oak Ridge.
President of Ecuador
Appointed President of Ecuador
Withdrawal from Kohima
Sato orders his exhausted division to withdraw from Kohima as food and ammunition shortages become critical.
Defence Testimony at Nuremberg
Sauckel testified about his responsibilities for labour mobilisation during the war.
Trade Treaty
Britain & Argentina agree a 5 yr trade Treaty
Retirement from Active Military Service
Retires from active military service before entering the presidential campaign.
Archbishop
Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury
Commonwealth
South Africas membership of the Commonwealth is terminated
Constitution of South Africa
The Republic of South Africa comes into existence
European Cup Final Goal
Scores for Barcelona in the European Cup final against Benfica in Bern.
Execution
Hanged for war crimes at Ramle
First State President
Becomes the first State President of the Republic of South Africa.
Government
Verwoerd forms a republican ministry
Republic Head of State
Replaces the governor-general as republican head of state.
Clemency Request Rejected
His request for clemency is rejected.
Eichmann Hanged
The execution occurs at Ramla prison in Israel.
Execution at Ramla Prison
Is executed by hanging shortly before midnight.
Presidential Pardon Denied
The death sentence remains in force.
Bombing of Kampuchea
The Senate majority leader, Mike Mansfield, says: "The only way to face up to our responsibilities, the only way to do it effectively is to cut the purse strings"
Bombing of Kampuchea
The US Senate votes to cut off funds for the bombing of Kampuchea
Agreement on the Golan Heights
Israel and Syria sign an agreement on the Golan Heights
Disengagement
Accepts the Syrian-Israeli disengagement agreement after prolonged postwar diplomacy.
Disengagement
Participates in diplomacy leading to the Syrian-Israeli disengagement agreement.
Rule of Golan Heights
Israel and Syria sign an agreement on the Golan Heights
Watergate Tape Appeal
Pursues Nixon's appeal against Judge Sirica's order requiring production of subpoenaed recordings sought by Special Prosecutor Jaworski.
Charlton Loudest Concert
The Who's Charlton Athletic concert is measured at 126 decibels.
Mount Kent Seized
Leads SAS forces deep behind Argentine positions and secures Mount Kent ahead of the main British advance.
Foreign Policy Statement at Brussels
English officials announce no teams under their control will play football in Europe
Kristall Module Launch
Monitors preparations aboard Mir as the Kristall materials-processing and biotechnology module launches toward the orbital complex.
Angolan Armed Forces
The accords attempt to demobilize the 152,000 active fighters and integrate the remaining Government troops and UNITA rebels into a 50,000-strong Angolan Armed Forces (FAA)
Bicesse Accords
The Bicesse Accords, also known as the Estoril Accords, lay out a transition to multi-party democracy in Angola under the supervision of the United Nations UNAVEM II mission
Bicesse Accords
The Bicesse Accords, also known as the Estoril Accords, lay out a transition to multi-party democracy in Angola under the supervision of the United Nations UNAVEM II mission. President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of the MPLA and Jonas Savimbi of UNITA sign the accord in Lisbon, Portugal
Bicesse Accords
President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of the MPLA and Jonas Savimbi of UNITA sign the accord in Lisbon, Portugal.
Bicesse Accords
The accords attempt to demobilize the 152,000 active fighters and integrate the remaining Government troops and UNITA rebels into a 50,000-strong Angolan Armed Forces (FAA).
Bicesse Accords
The Bicesse Accords, also known as the Estoril Accords, lay out a transition to multi-party democracy in Angola under the supervision of the United Nations UNAVEM II mission
Bicesse Accords
The Bicesse Accords, also known as the Estoril Accords, lay out a transition to multi-party democracy in Angola under the supervision of the United Nations UNAVEM II mission.
UNITA
President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of the MPLA and Jonas Savimbi of UNITA sign the accord in Lisbon, Portugal
UNITA
The accords attempt to demobilize the 152,000 active fighters and integrate the remaining Government troops and UNITA rebels into a 50,000-strong Angolan Armed Forces (FAA). President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of the MPLA and Jonas Savimbi of UNITA sign the accord in Lisbon, Portugal
UNITA
The Bicesse Accords, also known as the Estoril Accords, lay out a transition to multi-party democracy in Angola under the supervision of the United Nations UNAVEM II mission
United Nations
The Bicesse Accords, also known as the Estoril Accords, lay out a transition to multi-party democracy in Angola under the supervision of the United Nations UNAVEM II mission
Alliance Blair and Brown
Blair & Brown meet at Granita restaurant in Islington and reportedly agree a deal
Peacekeeper Killed
He dies after weeks of courageous civilian rescue work.
Europa May Flyby
Galileo conducts a further Europa encounter to examine the icy surface and surrounding environment.
Debut
Gerrard makes his international debut against the Ukraine
Opening Match Goal Against France
Scores the only goal as World Cup debutants Senegal defeat defending champions France.
Deep Throat
Former assistant FBI director Mark Felt announces that he was "Deep Throat," the secret source who helped unravel the Watergate scandal
Deep Throat
Former assistant FBI director Mark Felt announces that he was "Deep Throat," the secret source who helped unravel the Watergate scandal.
Deep Throat
Former assistant FBI director Mark Felt announces that he was "Deep Throat," the secret source who helped unravel the Watergate scandal.
Deep Throat
Publicly identifies himself as Deep Throat, confirming that he was the confidential source who assisted Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein during Watergate reporting.
Deep Throat
Publicly identifies himself as Deep Throat, confirming that he was the confidential source who assisted Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein during Watergate reporting.
Deep Throat
The admission takes even legendary Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who had promised to keep their sources identity a secret until his death, by surprise.
Deep Throat
The admission takes even legendary Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who had promised to keep their sources identity a secret until his death, by surprise.
Deep Throat Confirmation
Bernstein joins Bob Woodward and Ben Bradlee in confirming that former FBI official Mark Felt was the Watergate source known as Deep Throat.
Invasion of Iraq
With 127 deaths, May is the deadliest month for U.S. troops since November 2004
Real Madrid Appointment
Is appointed Real Madrid manager after leaving European champions Inter.
Andromeda Proper Motion Measured
Hubble measurements constrain M31's sideways motion against distant background galaxies, enabling a quantitative forecast of its future encounter with the Milky Way.
Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
Imposes tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from allies.
Europa League Final
Leads Roma to the Europa League final, where Sevilla win after a penalty shootout.
Russia North Korea Arms Sanctions
Joins international action against entities involved in unlawful arms transfers from North Korea to Russia.
Sweden Defense Partnership
Formalizes long-term Swedish assistance with Ulf Kristersson, strengthening weapons support, training and defense-industrial cooperation.
Champions League Victory
Guides Paris Saint-Germain to its first Champions League title.
Doue Two Goals in Champions League Final
Scores twice and creates another goal as Paris Saint-Germain defeat Inter 5-0.
Paris Champions League Winning Captain
Captains Paris Saint-Germain during the record 5-0 final victory over Inter.
Paris First Champions League Final Goal
Opens the scoring against his former club as Paris Saint-Germain win their first European Cup.
Births on May 31
Birth of William James Pirrie
William James Pirrie is born in Quebec to James Alexander Pirrie and Eliza Swan Montgomery.
Birth of Clinton Clint Eastwood
Birth of Clinton "Clint" Eastwood.
Birth of John Leslie Prescot
Birth of John Leslie Prescot
Birth of John Bonham
Birth of John Bonham
Birth of John Bonham
Birth of John Bonham, later Led Zeppelin's drummer.
Birth of Karl Bartos
Birth of Karl Bartos, later Kraftwerk electronic percussionist, keyboard player and songwriter.
Deaths on May 31
Death of Frederick William I
Says he had at last, "had the decency to die". Death of Frederick William I
Death of Adolf Eichmann
Hanged for war crimes at Ramle
Death of Michael Barne
Death of Michael Barne
Death of Mbaye Diagne
Is killed when a mortar shell strikes near his vehicle.
Death of Petur Mladenov
Death of Petur Mladenov
Battles on May 31
Battle of Preston
Wins victory over the Scots under Hamilton. The 1st Battle over which Cromwell has independent command
Battle of Worcester
Royalist victory, diverts Fairfax from Oxford, Charles then proceeds safely to Oxford
Battle of Jutland
British and German scouting forces make contact, drawing Beatty's and Hipper's battlecruisers toward battle.
Battle of Jutland
Leads 5 cruisers along the Jutland Peninsula to break the British North Sea blockade. Hipper & Beattys destroyers see each other & the Germans entice the British fleet. Germans have 16 Dreadnoughts, 6 pre-Dreadnoughts, 11 light cruisers & 72 destroyers
Battle of Jutland
Commands the Grand Fleet in the Battle of Jutland
Battle of Jutland
Intends to entice British battle-cruisers offf the Norwegian coast & destroy them. Follows von Hipper with the German Fleet of 99 ships along the Jutland Peninsula
Fifth Battle Squadron Enters Heavy Action
Evan-Thomas's fast battleships bring their powerful guns into action against Hipper's ships.
Fifth Battle Squadron Falls Astern
Evan-Thomas's battleships trail Beatty's faster battlecruisers during the opening pursuit.
Fifth Battle Squadron Turn Delayed
Signalling difficulties delay Evan-Thomas's turn, exposing the fast battleships to concentrated German fire.
Battle of Narvik
Discusses Narvik and Dunkirk with French leaders at the Supreme War Council.
Battle of Narvik
Discusses Narvik and Dunkirk with French leaders.
Battle of Narvik
Meets Churchill as Narvik success is overshadowed by France's crisis.
Battle of Narvik
Argues France's collapsing front must take priority over Norway.
Coronations on May 31
Coronation Procession
Anne Boleyn processes from the Tower toward Westminster before her coronation.
Coronation
Crowned Tsar and Autocrat of all Russia in the Dormition Cathedral
Coronation
Crowned King of Prussia, says "a crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in"