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Statue of John Smith at Historic Jamestowne, site of the James Fort
- May 2, 1863: During the Battle of Chancellorsville, General Stonewall Jackson is shot behind his own lines, and dies several days later.
- May 5–7, 1864: The Battle of the Wilderness is the first engagement between Generals Grant and Lee.
- May 14, 1607: Jamestown is founded on an island in the James River, upstream of the Chesapeake Bay. (Historic Jamestowne, pictured)
- May 15, 1776: Virginia declares itself independent of the British Empire, prior to the general Declaration of Independence made later that year
- May 23, 1610: The Third Supply arrives in Jamestown with desperately-needed provisions and new colonists, enabling continued survival of the colony
