1. The deadliest tornado outbreak in Nebraska history occurred on May 13, 1896. A total of 12 tornadoes touched down across the state, resulting in 14 fatalities and over 200 injuries.

2. May 13, 1867 marked the beginning of construction on the iconic Union Pacific Railroad Bridge in Omaha. The bridge, which spans the Missouri River, was completed the following year and played a crucial role in the expansion of westward travel and commerce.

3. On May 13, 1954, the United States Air Force launched a secret weather reconnaissance mission called Operation Castle. The mission involved flying aircraft into the eye of a massive hurricane over the Pacific Ocean to gather atmospheric data and develop better storm prediction methods.

4. May 13, 1934 saw the enactment of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature Act. This historic legislation abolished the state's two-chambered legislature and established a single, non-partisan legislative body - the only one of its kind in the nation.

5. Nebraska's historic Omaha Civic Auditorium opened its doors on May 13, 1954. The venue, which seated over 9,000 people, hosted countless concerts, sporting events, and cultural performances over the course of its 60-year history before being demolished in 2016 to make way for an expanded convention center.