This Day in History: May 1

1707 Acts of Union comes into force, uniting England and Scotland to form the United Kingdom

In 1707, the Acts of Union were passed by the Scottish and English parliaments, which led to the creation of the Kingdom of Great Britain. The agreement resulted in a political union between England and Scotland, with both countries sharing the same monarch and a unified parliament in London.

1840 The world's first adhesive postage stamp is issued in the United Kingdom

The Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp, was issued in the UK in 1840. The stamp was designed to simplify the postal system by introducing a standard fee for letters based on their weight and distance. The Penny Black showed a portrait of Queen Victoria and was used for less than a year before being replaced by newer versions.

1886 US general strike for 8-hour working day begins

In 1886, workers in the United States began a general strike to demand an eight-hour workday. The strike involved hundreds of thousands of workers across the country and lasted several days. Although the strike ultimately failed to achieve its goals, it helped to bring attention to the issue of workers' rights and led to improvements in working conditions over time.

1924 German automobile manufacturers Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie begin their first joint venture (later merge into Mercedes-Benz)

In 1924, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie, two leading German automobile manufacturers, began their first joint venture. The companies later merged to form the famous Mercedes-Benz brand. The merger allowed the two companies to combine their expertise and resources to create some of the most innovative and iconic cars in automotive history.

1931 Empire State Building opens in New York City

The Empire State Building, one of the most iconic buildings in New York City, opened to the public in 1931. At the time, it was the tallest building in the world, standing at 1,250 feet tall. The building remains a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of American architecture and engineering.

1945 Adolf Hitler's death is announced on German radio

On April 30th, 1945, Adolf Hitler's death was announced on German radio. The announcement came as Soviet troops were capturing Berlin and raising their flag over the Reich Chancellery. Hitler had committed suicide in his bunker a day earlier, as Allied forces closed in on the city. The announcement marked the end of World War II in Europe and the beginning of a long process of rebuilding and reconciliation for the continent.

1961 Fidel Castro declares Cuba a socialist nation and bans elections

In 1961, Fidel Castro declared Cuba a socialist nation and banned elections. The announcement came just a month after Cuban troops had fought off a U.S.-backed military invasion at the Bay of Pigs. Castro's regime would go on to face numerous challenges, including an economic embargo from the United States and internal dissent, but would remain in power until his retirement in 2008.

1978 Naomi Uemura becomes of the first person to reach the North Pole alone

In 1978, Naomi Uemura, a Japanese adventurer, became the first person to reach the North Pole alone.