1. The Washington Post, one of the most highly regarded newspapers in the United States, began publication on May 12, 1877. Its first edition launched with the headline, “A Sparkling and Spirited Daily, with a National Reputation Already Achieved.”

2. The Smithsonian American Art Museum was established on May 12, 1968, by an act of Congress. Located in the heart of the National Mall, the museum is home to one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of American art in the world.

3. On May 12, 1983, the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria opened in Washington, D.C. This was a significant event in the history of U.S.-Bulgarian relations, as it marked the first time that the Bulgarian government had established an embassy in the United States.

4. May 12, 1994, was a day of historic importance for gay rights activists in D.C. On that day, the D.C. Council legalized same-sex marriage, making it the first jurisdiction in the United States to do so. The law was later overturned, but it paved the way for the nationwide legalization of gay marriage in 2015.

5. In 2008, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Project Foundation selected May 12 as the official groundbreaking date for the construction of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which was unveiled to the public on August 22, 2011. The memorial, which stands on the National Mall, is dedicated to the legacy of Dr. King and the civil rights movement he helped lead.