As America embraces the fullness of spring, May 2025 commemorates a diverse array of historical anniversaries that stretch from colonial times to the contemporary era. These events showcase America’s evolution through exploration, constitutional development, wartime sacrifice, civil rights advancement, and space achievement. And as always the first Saturday in May brings the Kentucky Derby.

Early America and Westward Expansion

250th Anniversary: Second Continental Congress Convenes (May 1775)

Just weeks after the first shots of the Revolution rang out at Lexington and Concord, delegates from the thirteen colonies gathered in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775, for the Second Continental Congress. This pivotal assembly assumed the powers of a national government, established the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as commander-in-chief, and eventually adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Second Continental Congress represented the transformation of colonial resistance into an organized revolutionary movement with national aspirations.

220th Anniversary: Lewis and Clark Expedition Begins (May 1805)

The Corps of Discovery, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, departed from Camp Dubois on May 14, 1805, beginning their historic journey up the Missouri River. This expedition, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson following the Louisiana Purchase, would dramatically expand geographical knowledge of the western territories and establish American claims to the Pacific Northwest. The detailed scientific observations, diplomatic contacts with Native American nations, and cartographic achievements of the expedition laid the groundwork for westward expansion that would define the nation’s 19th-century development.

Civil War and National Division

160th Anniversary: Final Campaigns of the Civil War (May 1865)

May 1865 witnessed the final chapter of the Civil War as remaining Confederate forces surrendered across the South. On May 10, Jefferson Davis was captured in Georgia, effectively ending the Confederate government. Meanwhile, the nation continued to mourn President Lincoln’s assassination while President Andrew Johnson began implementing his controversial approach to Reconstruction. These events set the stage for the complex and often troubled process of reunifying the nation and addressing the legacy of slavery.

125th Anniversary: Plessy v. Ferguson Decision (May 1896)

On May 18, 1896, the Supreme Court delivered its infamous ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson, establishing the “separate but equal” doctrine that provided constitutional sanction for racial segregation. This 7-1 decision upheld Louisiana’s law mandating separate railway carriages for white and Black passengers, legitimizing Jim Crow laws throughout the South. Justice John Marshall Harlan’s lone dissent, arguing that “our Constitution is color-blind,” would eventually become the foundation for later civil rights jurisprudence, but the Plessy decision entrenched legal segregation for nearly six decades.

World Wars and Global Engagement

80th Anniversary: V-E Day (May 1945)

May 8, 1945, marked the end of World War II in Europe as Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allied powers. Americans celebrated Victory in Europe (V-E) Day with jubilant gatherings in cities nationwide, even as the war against Japan continued in the Pacific. This momentous victory represented the triumph of democracy over fascism and confirmed America’s emergence as a global superpower. The celebrations were tempered by mourning for the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in the conflict and awareness of the challenges of postwar reconstruction.

70th Anniversary: Brown v. Board of Education Decision (May 1954)

The Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in Brown v. Board of Education on May 17, 1954, overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson and declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Chief Justice Earl Warren’s opinion stated that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal,” striking at the heart of Jim Crow. This landmark decision catalyzed the modern civil rights movement and began the long process of dismantling legal segregation across American society, though implementation would face fierce resistance for decades.

Space Exploration and Cold War

60th Anniversary: First American Spacewalk (May 1965)

On May 3, 1965, astronaut Edward White became the first American to perform a spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission. Floating in the vacuum of space for 23 minutes, White called it “the most beautiful thing” and had to be ordered back into the spacecraft. This achievement came just months after cosmonaut Alexei Leonov’s first-ever spacewalk, highlighting the intense space race between the United States and Soviet Union. White’s extravehicular activity represented a crucial milestone in America’s journey to the Moon and demonstrated the nation’s growing technological capabilities.

40th Anniversary: New Coke Introduction (May 1985)

On May 8, 1985, The Coca-Cola Company announced the reformulation of its flagship beverage, introducing “New Coke” in one of the most notorious marketing missteps in American business history. Consumer backlash was immediate and intense, forcing the company to reintroduce the original formula as “Coca-Cola Classic” just 79 days later. This episode revealed the powerful emotional connections Americans formed with consumer products and demonstrated how corporate brands had become embedded in national identity. The New Coke fiasco has become a cautionary tale taught in business schools worldwide.

Technology and Modern America

30th Anniversary: eBay Founded (May 1995)

Pierre Omidyar launched the online auction website AuctionWeb (later renamed eBay) in May 1995, creating one of the earliest and most successful e-commerce platforms. Beginning with the sale of a broken laser pointer, eBay pioneered peer-to-peer online sales and helped establish consumer trust in internet transactions. The company’s growth symbolized the emerging digital economy and the democratization of commerce in the internet age. eBay’s success story embodied the entrepreneurial spirit and technological innovation that would transform American business in the 21st century.

20th Anniversary: Facebook Expands to High Schools (May 2005)

In May 2005, Facebook (then known as “TheFacebook”) expanded its membership eligibility to include high school students, a significant step in the platform’s evolution from a Harvard-only website to a global social media giant. This expansion foreshadowed the platform’s eventual opening to the general public and its transformation into one of the most influential companies in modern history. Facebook’s growth represented the beginning of social media’s profound impact on American communication, politics, business, and culture—effects that continue to reshape society two decades later.

For further reading and classroom resources, consider exploring the Library of Congress digital archives, National Archives’ teaching materials, and your state’s historical society collections. To see my other posts view here. (Link)