The following events occurred in May 1935:
May 1, 1935 (Wednesday) The Digor earthquake in eastern Turkey killed 200 people. The U.S. Senate voted to extend the National Recovery Administration another 10 months. The Federal Music Project was enacted in the United States. Died: Antero Rubín, 84, Spanish general and politician
May 2, 1935 (Thursday) The Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance was signed. The stage musical Glamorous Night premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. Born: Lance LeGault, actor, in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2012)
May 3, 1935 (Friday) A worldwide peace broadcast, the first of its kind, was held to honor Jane Addams. Representatives of Britain, Japan, Russia and France gathered in Washington's McPherson Square to introduce speakers broadcasting from their respective countries. Addams herself participated by speaking from a radio broadcasting studio as well.
May 4, 1935 (Saturday) An automobile carrying Jackie Coogan and four other people plunged off a road and into a creek east of San Diego. Coogan survived with minor injuries but everyone else was killed, including Jackie's father, filmmaker Robert J. Horner and the actor Junior Durkin. French Prime Minister Pierre-Étienne Flandin broke his left arm in an automobile collision driving to his home. His wife and son-in-law were also injured. Omaha won the Kentucky Derby. Castleford defeated Huddersfield 11-8 to win the Challenge Cup of rugby before 39,000 at Wembley Stadium. Died: Junior Durkin, 19, American actor (car accident); Robert J. Horner, 40, American film producer, director and screenwriter (car accident)
May 5, 1935 (Sunday) Parliamentary elections were held in Yugoslavia; the Yugoslav National Party won 303 of 370 seats. Former Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos and general Nikolaos Plastiras were sentenced in absentia to death for their roles in the Greek coup d'état attempt. Latvia defeated Spain 24-18 in the championship final of the first-ever FIBA European Championship basketball tournament.
May 6, 1935 (Monday) Silver Jubilee celebrations for King George V began across the British Empire. The King and Queen attended services at St Paul's Cathedral. TWA Flight 6 crashed in bad weather near Atlanta, Missouri. Died: Bronson M. Cutting, 46, United States Senator (plane crash)
May 7, 1935 (Tuesday) Italy mobilized three more divisions. Liberia had a constitutional referendum alongside general elections. The referendum confirmed special legislation approving a term extension for the President. Born: Isobel Warren, author and journalist, in Canada
May 8, 1935 (Wednesday) Amelia Earhart flew nonstop from Mexico City to Newark, New Jersey in a record 14 hours, 22 minutes and 50 seconds. She was the first pilot to fly that route without stopping along the way.
May 9, 1935 (Thursday) The British government ordered aircraft manufacturers to increase their production to the fullest capacity and not to fill any foreign orders for aircraft without the Air Ministry's approval. The John Ford-directed drama film The Informer was released.
May 10, 1935 (Friday) King George V and Queen Mary surprised their subjects by riding around the poorer districts of South London unannounced. The royal car was mobbed at several crossings by cheering crowds.
May 11, 1935 (Saturday) Nazi Germany ordered that all new or altered buildings would be required to consult the Air Protection League on the possibility of constructing bomb- and gas-proof cellars. Omaha won the Preakness Stakes. Born: Doug McClure, actor, in Glendale, California (d. 1995)
May 12, 1935 (Sunday) King George and Queen Mary made another surprise visit to poorer districts of London, this time in the East. Born: Felipe Alou, baseball player and manager, in Haina, Dominican Republic; Johnny Bucyk, ice hockey player, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Gary Peacock, jazz double bassist, in Burley, Idaho (d. 2020) Died: Józef Piłsudski, 67, Polish general and statesman (liver cancer)
May 13, 1935 (Monday) Pan American Airways opened regular flights from San Francisco to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. T. E. Lawrence was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Dorset. The horror film Werewolf of London was released. Born: Luciano Benetton, member of the Benetton family and co-founder of the Benetton Group, in Treviso, Italy