On This Date May 1, 1776; 1863; 1898; 1915; 1931 & 2011- a big day in History!

May 1, 1776 – the Battle of Crooked Billet was fought in present day Hatboro, PA. British forces
launched a surprise attack against three regiments of Pennsylvania militia, who were literally
caught sleeping. The Continental soldiers were forced to retreat to nearby Bucks County, and by
early June, military action had moved away from the Keystone State.
May 1, 1863 – the Battle of Chancellorsville begins. While known as a Confederate victory, it is
also the battle in which General “Stonewall” Jackson was struck by friendly fire and died eight
days after receiving his injury. His death, as well as any battle fought after this, had a major
impact on the outcome of the Civil War.
May 1, 1898 – the United States Navy destroys the Spanish Pacific fleet in the Battle of Manilla
Bay, the first major battle of the Spanish-American War.
May 1, 1915 – the RMS Lusitania departs from New York City on her final crossing of the North
Atlantic. Six days later, the ship is torpedoed off the coast of Ireland with the loss of 1,198 lives.
Pressure mounts on President Woodrow Wilson to remain neutral in World War One.
May 1, 1931 – the Empire State Building, at the time the tallest building in the world, is dedicated
in New York City. Two years later, King Kong climbs to the top of it.
May 1, 2011 – Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is shot and killed by Navy SEALs.