1. On May 12, 1607, the English settlement at Jamestown was established. This settlement represented the first permanent English settlement in North America and paved the way for future European colonization of the continent.

2. On May 12, 1777, Virginia signed the Articles of Confederation, becoming one of the first states to formally join the new United States government. The Articles served as a precursor to the Constitution and formalized Virginia's commitment to the union.

3. On May 12, 1864, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House began during the American Civil War. The battle was fought between Union and Confederate forces and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.

4. On May 12, 1898, the USS Merrimac was sunk in the port of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War. The sinking played a significant role in the eventual American victory in the conflict.

5. On May 12, 2007, Virginia Tech held a commencement ceremony to honor the victims of the tragic shooting that occurred on campus just one month earlier. The ceremony featured speeches and tributes to the victims, and was seen as a way to help the university community heal and move forward.