May 1, 1764

Benjamin Henry Latrobe, considered one of the foremost proponents of the Greek revival style in American architecture, is born in Yorkshire, England. Latrobe's portfolio of work includes the completion of the White House and the redesign of the room in the U.S. Capitol that housed the Library of Congress.

Source: Library of Congress

May 1, 1931

With the press of a button in Washington, D.C., President Herbert Hoover turns on the lights of the Empire State Building, officially opening the structure at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th Street in New York City. At 102 stories, it reigned as the world's tallest skyscraper until 1974.

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Source: Library of Congress

May 4, 1970

In Kent, Ohio, 28 National Guardsmen fire their weapons at a group of antiwar demonstrators on the Kent State University campus, killing four students, wounding eight and permanently paralyzing another.

Source: www.historychannel.com

May 8, 1886

Dr. John S. Pemberton sells the first Coca-Cola at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta, Ga. Bookkeeper Frank Robinson coined the name, and it is his handwriting we recognize as the Coca-Cola trademark.

Source: Library of Congress

May 10, 1869

Officials and workers of the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railways meet on Promontory Summit in Utah Territory to drive in the golden spike, which symbolizes completion of the first transcontinental railroad and reduces a journey of four or more months to one week.

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Source: Library of Congress

May 21, 1985

Tony Feltch of Wisconsin sets the world record for longest distance flown by a paper airplane. Feltch's airplane, launched at the La Crosse Center, flies 193 feet.

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

May 25, 2004

The Milwaukee Common Council votes 11-4 to sell Traser Yards to Harley-Davidson for its new museum in the city's Menomonee Valley. The company is planning to open the $75 million museum in 2008.

Rendering courtesy of Harley-Davidson

May 27, 1937

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is completed and opened to pedestrian traffic. Bridge designer Joseph Baermann Strauss instituted unprecedented safety measures in construction of the bridge, including a prototype of the hard hat and a safety net stretching under the bridge.

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Source: Library of Congress

May 28, 1854

The cornerstone is laid for St. Raphael's, the first Catholic church in Madison. The church suffered severe damage when set on fire by an arsonist on March 14, 2005. The church's steeple replacement project was named one of Wisconsin Builder's Top Projects of 2004.

Photo courtesy of J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

May 29, 1848

Wisconsin becomes the 30th state admitted to the Union.

Source: Library of Congress