1. On May 12, 1857, the Oregon Constitutional Convention convened in Salem, Oregon to draft a state constitution. The resulting constitution was approved by Oregon voters in November of that year, and Oregon officially became a state on February 14, 1859.

2. In 1928, the Oregon State Highway Department opened the Roosevelt Highway, a scenic coastal road that stretched from Astoria to Brookings. This road was later renamed the Pacific Coast Highway and is now known as US Highway 101.

3. On May 12, 1947, the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem experienced a major fire that killed 14 inmates and injured dozens more. The fire caused extensive damage to the prison, and many of the inmates had to be transferred to other facilities.

4. In 1952, the city of Portland opened the first section of the Eastbank Esplanade, a paved trail that runs along the east side of the Willamette River. The Esplanade now stretches for 1.5 miles and is a popular destination for walkers, runners, and cyclists.

5. On May 12, 1986, the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was established by President Ronald Reagan. The monument was created to protect the area surrounding Mount St. Helens after the volcano's devastating eruption in 1980, and it is now a popular spot for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.