MAY 1754
Emperor Iyasu II became ill in May of 1754 and he died the next year, ending his 25 year rule. He was succeeded by his son Iyo'as. (Henze 106) MAY 1769 Yohanness II became emperor in May 1769. His reign lased only five months. (Henze 106)
MAY 1936
The Italo-Ethiopian War began in October 1935, and the Italians soon captured many Ethiopian towns. Emperor Haile Selassie felt that it was hopeless to continue to wage war against an enemy equipped with such modern weapons, and fled from the country. Benito Mussolini started the war in order to turn the attention of Italians away from problems at home. He was also hoping to obtain a source of raw materials for Italy. On 5 May, 1936, under Marshal Pietro Badoglio, Italians took over Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Mussolini proclaimed Ethiopia Italian ownership with the King of Italy as emperor. Italy had acted against the principles of the League of Nations. Although Haile Sellassie regained power and retook the crown in 1941.
25 MAY 1963
The leaders of 30 African nations form the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
MAY 1993
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia.
