1. On May 19, 1780, during the American Revolutionary War, British and Loyalist forces under the command of General William Phillips began a siege of the city of Charleston, South Carolina. The siege ultimately lasted over a month and resulted in the city's surrender to the British on May 12.

2. On May 19, 1828, the cornerstone was laid for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Mount Clare Station, which would become one of the oldest railroad stations in the United States. The station is now a National Historic Landmark and is home to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore.

3. On May 19, 1925, a tornado struck the town of La Plata in southern Maryland, killing 7 people and injuring dozens more. The tornado was categorized as an F3 on the Fujita scale, with winds of up to 206 mph.

4. On May 19, 1966, a faulty valve caused a massive explosion and fire at the Glen Echo Heights pumping station in Bethesda, Maryland. The explosion killed 3 workers and caused extensive damage to nearby homes and businesses.

5. On May 19, 2012, the fourth annual Charm City Folk and Bluegrass Festival was held in Baltimore's Druid Hill Park, featuring performances by over 20 musical acts. The festival has since become an annual tradition in the city, drawing thousands of music fans each year.