◆ On this day

May 1

5 sourced moments from May 1 in history: The Acts of Union create the Kingdom of Great Britain (1707); Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro Premieres in Vienna (1786); Britain issues the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp (1840), plus 2 more.

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5 things happened on May 1

newest first ↓

1931 Technology · Engineering

The Empire State Building opens in New York City

On May Day 1931, a 102-story tower opened in Manhattan and held the title of world's tallest building for nearly 40 years.

1851 History · Modern

The Great Exhibition opens at London's Crystal Palace

Queen Victoria opened a vast glass-and-iron hall in Hyde Park, showcasing the wonders of the industrial age to the world.

1840 Society & Economy · Trade

Britain issues the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp

A small black stamp bearing the young Queen Victoria put the world's first adhesive postage on sale and flipped who paid for the mail.

1786 Culture & Arts · Music

Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro Premieres in Vienna

A subversive comedy about servants outwitting their master became Mozart's first great triumph with the librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte.

1707 History · Modern

The Acts of Union create the Kingdom of Great Britain

On a single spring day in 1707, two ancient rival crowns dissolved their separate parliaments to become one new kingdom.