1. On May 12, 1942, the city of Washington D.C. was placed under a strict wartime curfew due to World War II. Cars and streetlights had to be turned off from 10 PM to 6 AM, and anyone found violating the curfew could be fined or jailed.
2. The Washington Metro, the city's subway system, opened on May 12, 1976. The first phase included five stations and served the Red Line between Rhode Island Avenue and Farragut North.
3. On May 12, 1981, the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan occurred in front of the Washington Hilton Hotel. Reagan was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. as he was leaving the hotel.
4. The Washington Capitals won their first-ever Eastern Conference title on May 12, 1998, after defeating the Buffalo Sabres in a series-clinching 2-1 victory. The Capitals went on to the Stanley Cup Finals but ultimately lost to the Detroit Red Wings.
5. The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened its doors to the public on May 12, 2017. The museum, located on the National Mall, showcases the history and culture of African Americans from slavery to present day.