May 25 in History
May 25 is the birthday of Cam Ward (American football) (2002) and the anniversary of the death of Sonny Rollins (2026). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for May 25, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Emperor Shenzong of Song was born in 1048, while Li Hong, Chinese prince died in 675.
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Famous people born on May 25
Famous people who died on May 25
2024
Albert S. Ruddy (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American film producer and screenwriter (1930–2024)
2023
Joy McKean (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Australian country music singer-songwriter (1930–2023)
2020
George Floyd (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
African American man murdered by law enforcement (1973–2020)
2005
Graham Kennedy (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Australian entertainer, comedian and variety performer
What happened on May 25
- 2018
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) becomes enforceable in the European Union.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2018
Ireland votes to repeal the Eighth Amendment of their constitution that prohibits abortion in all but a few cases, choosing to replace it with the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2013
Suspected Maoist rebels kill at least 28 people and injure 32 others in an attack on a convoy of Indian National Congress politicians in Chhattisgarh, India.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2012
The SpaceX Dragon 1 becomes the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2011
Oprah Winfrey airs her last show, ending her 25-year run of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2009
North Korea allegedly tests its second nuclear device, after which Pyongyang also conducts several missile tests, building tensions in the international community.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2008
NASA's Phoenix lander touches down in the Green Valley region of Mars to search for environments suitable for water and microbial life.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2002
China Airlines Flight 611 disintegrates in mid-air and crashes into the Taiwan Strait, with the loss of all 225 people on board.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
Erik Weihenmayer becomes the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, in the Himalayas, with Dr. Sherman Bull.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2000
Liberation Day of Lebanon: Israel withdraws its army from Lebanese territory (with the exception of the disputed Shebaa farms zone) 18 years after the invasion of 1982.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1999
The United States House of Representatives releases the Cox Report which details China's nuclear espionage against the U.S. over the prior two decades.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1997
A military coup in Sierra Leone replaces President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah with Major Johnny Paul Koroma.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1986
The Hands Across America event takes place.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1985
Bangladesh is hit by a tropical cyclone and storm surge, which kills approximately 10,000 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1982
Falklands War: HMS Coventry is sunk by Argentine Air Force A-4 Skyhawks.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on May 25
- 1048 — Emperor Shenzong of Song (died 1085)
- 1320 — Toghon Temür, Mongolian emperor (died 1370)
- 1334 — Emperor Sukō of Japan (died 1398)
Died on May 25
- 675 — Li Hong, Chinese prince (born 652)
- 709 — Aldhelm, English-Latin bishop, poet, and scholar (born 639)
- 803 — Higbald of Lindisfarne, English bishop
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for May 25
Quick answers
Who was born on May 25? Cam Ward (American football) (2002), Claire Liu (2000), Brec Bassinger (1999).
Who died on May 25? Sonny Rollins (2026), Albert S. Ruddy (2024), Richard M. Sherman (2024).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in May? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the May 25 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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Ancestry
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