1. On May 12, 1934, a devastating tornado outbreak swept through Alabama, leaving a trail of destruction and death. The storms claimed the lives of over 30 people across the state, and hundreds of others were injured.

2. May 12, 1943, was the day Alabama native George "Goober" Lindsey was born. Lindsey is best known for his role as Goober Pyle on the popular TV series "The Andy Griffith Show" and its spin-off "Mayberry R.F.D."

3. On May 12, 1961, the Freedom Riders arrived in Birmingham, Alabama, as part of their historic journey to challenge segregation laws in the South. The riders faced violent opposition from white supremacists and were eventually arrested and imprisoned for their efforts.

4. May 12, 1970, was the day that Alabama Governor Albert Brewer signed a bill officially adopting "Alabama" as the state song. The song, written by Julia S. Tutwiler in 1926, had been a beloved unofficial anthem for decades.

5. On May 12, 2017, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that allowed judges to impose the death penalty on defendants convicted of first-degree murder even if a jury had recommended life imprisonment. The controversial move drew criticism from human rights groups and sparked a renewed debate about the use of capital punishment in the United States.