Timeline May 1881

Events in May 1881 3

• 1881 Pasteur demonstrates his anthrax vaccine Public trial at Pouilly-le-Fort proves vaccination works Louis Pasteur publicly tested his attenuated anthrax vaccine on sheep and cattle at Pouilly-le-Fort, vaccinating half a herd and leaving the rest unprotected before exposing all the animals to live anthrax. Every unvaccinated animal died while the vaccinated ones survived. The demonstration proved the practical value of vaccination beyond Jenner's smallpox work and made Pasteur an international celebrity.
• 1881 Treaty of Bardo establishes French Tunisia France imposes a protectorate over Tunisia Following a French military incursion from Algeria, the Bey of Tunis was forced to sign the Treaty of Bardo, ceding control of Tunisian foreign policy and finances to France. The treaty made Tunisia a French protectorate in all but name. It marked a major step in French colonial expansion in North Africa.
• 1881 American Red Cross founded Clara Barton establishes the US relief organization Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C., modeled on the International Red Cross movement she had encountered in Europe. She served as its first president. The organization went on to become the leading American charity for disaster relief and emergency assistance.