1. In 1825, the first Kentucky Derby was run on May 19 at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville. The race was won by a horse named Aristides, ridden by jockey Oliver Lewis, in front of a crowd of 10,000 people.

2. On May 19, 1861, Kentucky declared its neutrality in the American Civil War. This decision was short-lived, however, as the state eventually sided with the Union and became a critical player in the war effort.

3. In 1925, a devastating tornado struck the city of Middlesboro on May 19, killing at least nine people and injuring dozens more. The twister was part of a larger outbreak of tornadoes that swept through several states in the region.

4. On May 19, 1937, the Ohio River flooded in northern Kentucky, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. The flood, which was caused by heavy rain and melting snow, is still considered one of the worst natural disasters in the state's history.

5. In 1984, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill on May 19 designating the gray squirrel as the official state animal. The bill was sponsored by a group of elementary school children from Louisville who wrote letters to their legislators advocating for the squirrel's selection.