May 4 in History
May 4 is the birthday of Noah Beck (2001) and the anniversary of the death of Frank Stella (2024). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for May 4, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, Persian mystic and poet was born in 1006, while Venerius, archbishop of Milan died in 408.
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Famous people born on May 4
Famous people who died on May 4
2012
Bob Stewart (television producer) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American television producer (1920–2012)
2008
Fred Baur (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American organic chemist and food storage scientist (1918–2008)
2001
Bonny Lee Bakley (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American fraudster and murder victim (1956–2001)
What happened on May 4
- 2023
Nine people are killed and thirteen injured in a spree shooting in Mladenovac and Smederevo, Serbia. It is the second mass shooting in the country in two days.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2019
The inaugural all-female motorsport series, W Series, takes place at Hockenheimring. The race was won by Jamie Chadwick, who would go on to become the inaugural series champion.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2014
Three people are killed and 62 injured in a pair of bombings on buses in Nairobi, Kenya.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2007
Greensburg, Kansas is almost completely destroyed by the 2007 Greensburg tornado, a 1.7-mile wide EF5 tornado. It was the first-ever tornado to be rated with the new Enhanced Fujita scale.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2002
One hundred three people are killed and 51 are injured in a plane crash near Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, Nigeria.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2000
Ken Livingstone becomes the first Mayor of London (an office separate from that of the Lord Mayor of London).
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1998
A federal judge in Sacramento, California, gives "Unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski four life sentences plus 30 years after Kaczynski accepts a plea agreement sparing him from the death penalty.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1994
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat sign a peace accord, granting self-rule in the Gaza Strip and Jericho.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1990
Latvia declares independence from the Soviet Union.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1989
Iran–Contra affair: Former White House aide Oliver North is convicted of three crimes and acquitted of nine other charges; the convictions are later overturned on appeal.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1989
Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-30 to deploy the Venus-bound Magellan space probe.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1988
The PEPCON disaster rocks Henderson, Nevada, as tons of Space Shuttle fuel detonate during a fire.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1982
Twenty sailors are killed when the British Type 42 destroyer HMS Sheffield is hit by an Argentinian Exocet missile during the Falklands War.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1979
Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1978
The South African Defence Force attacks a SWAPO base at Cassinga in southern Angola, killing about 600 people.
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 4
- 1006 — Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, Persian mystic and poet (died 1088)
- 1559 — Alice Spencer, English noblewoman (died 1637)
- 1634 — Katherine Ferrers, English aristocrat and heiress (died 1660)
Died on May 4
- 408 — Venerius, archbishop of Milan
- 784 — Arbeo, bishop of Freising
- 1003 — Herman II, duke of Swabia
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for May 4
Quick answers
Who was born on May 4? Noah Beck (2001), Joan Garcia (2001), Rex Orange County (1998).
Who died on May 4? Frank Stella (2024), Don Shula (2020), Jean-Baptiste Bagaza (2016).
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 4 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
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