Medical milestones, landmark publications, and notable births and deaths associated with May 28.

Events

1934 – The Dionne quintuplets (Annette, Cécile, Yvonne, Émilie, and Marie) were born in Corbeil, Ontario, the first known quintuplets to survive infancy. Born premature their survival depended on contemporary incubator care and specialist support.

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Births

1945 – Hunter Doherty “Patch” Adams, American physician, social activist and clown. Founder of the Gesundheit! Institute

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Deaths

1902 – Jules Philippe Falret (1824-1902), French psychiatrist; described Lasègue-Falret syndrome (aka Folie à deux) in 1877

1902 – Adolph Kussmaul (Adolf Kußmaul) (1822-1902), German physician; described Kussmaul disease (1866) [polyarteritis nodosa], Kussmaul sign (1873), Kussmaul respiration (1874), and Kussmaul aphasia of psychoses (1877)

1970 – Ester Elisabeth Grönblad (1898-1970), Swedish ophthalmologist; described Grönblad syndrome (1929)

2004 – Margaret Burton Horan (1909-2004), Australian paediatrician; described Nance-Horan syndrome (1974)

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Further reading

• Friedman J. The Dionne Quintuplets Captivated the World During the Great Depression. But Their Fame Came at a Cost. Smithsonian 2025
• Patch Adams Presents: His Clown Character [Video]

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