May 1, 1931
President Herbert Hoover officially dedicates N.Y.C.’s Empire State Building, pressing a button from the White House that turns on the building’s lights.
May 3, 1469
Niccol² Machiavelli, Italian philosopher and author of The Prince, is born.
May 4, 1970
The National Guard opens fire on a group of student anti-Vietnam War protesters, killing four and wounding nine.