On This Day May 4: History, Science, and the Digital Age
Monday, May 4, 2026, marks the 124th day of the year. With 241 days remaining, this date in history serves as a bridge between the Age of Discovery and the digital era, spanning centuries of political shifts, scientific breakthroughs, and cultural milestones.
Historical Landmarks: From the New World to Outer Space
This day has long been a witness to global expansion. In 1460, explorer Diogo Gomes discovered the Cape Verde archipelago, and just 33 years later, in 1493, Pope Alexander VI issued the Inter Caetera bull, famously dividing the New World between Portugal and Spain.
Science and exploration continued to define May 4 in later centuries. In 1675, King Charles II of England decreed the establishment of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, setting the stage for modern navigation and timekeeping. Centuries later, in 1917, the renowned Portuguese African explorer Vice-Admiral Brito Capelo passed away in Lisbon at the age of 76.
Political Shifting Tides
The 20th century brought significant political transformations on this date. In 1938, Douglas Hyde was inaugurated as the first President of the Republic of Eire (Ireland). In 1980, the world saw the end of an era with the death of Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito.
The 1990s were particularly active: Latvia approved its declaration of independence in 1990, and in 1994, PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin signed a historic autonomy agreement for Gaza and Jericho. More recently, in 2011, Portugal faced a turning point when Prime Minister José Sócrates announced a €78 billion international bailout program to stabilize the nation’s economy.
Culture, Science, and the Digital Age
Artistic records were shattered on this day in 2010 when Picasso’s “Nude, Green Leaves and Bust” sold for a then-record $106.4 million at Christie’s. In the world of music, 2012 saw the loss of Beastie Boys founder and hip-hop pioneer Adam Yauch.
The digital age left a permanent mark on May 4, 2000, when the “I Love You” computer virus paralyzed global communication systems. On a more positive note for innovation, the first vaccine for melanoma and kidney cancer was authorized in 2005, and in 2006, Portugal’s Official Gazette (Diário da República) announced it would provide free internet access to its readers.
Notable Passings
Today, we remember influential figures who left their marks on their respective fields:
- Art: Visual artist Julião Sarmento (2021) and American minimalist painter Frank Stella (2024).
- Literature: Portuguese writer Branquinho da Fonseca (born 1905) and French historian Henri Guillemin (1992).
- Entertainment: Brazilian actor Flávio Migliaccio (2020) and Santomean singer “General João Seria” (2023).
- History: Claude Stanley Choules, the last living combat veteran of WWI, who died in 2011 at age 110.
May 4, 2026: At a Glance
Zodiac: Taurus
Moon Phase: Waning (Last Quarter on May 9)
Sun: Rises at 06:36 AM; Sets at 08:32 PM
Religious Observance: Dedicated to Saint Gregory the Illuminator and Blessed George Haydock.
Image: Pexels – Monstera Production
