May 18, 1980
Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington, killing 57 people and destroying 210 square miles of unadulterated wilderness.
May 20, 1873
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis receive a patent to produce work pants reinforced with metal rivets, now known as blue jeans.
May 24, 1883
New York City and Brooklyn are finally connected with the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River.