1. In 1945, Indiana University in Bloomington hosted a Victory Day celebration honoring the end of World War II in Europe. The festivities included a parade, music, and a fireworks display.
2. The first official Indy 500 race was held on May 30, 1911, but on May 2, 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway held its first event, a helium gas-filled balloon race.
3. On May 2, 1963, the Indiana State Board of Education voted to integrate the public schools in Indianapolis, making it the largest city in the country to desegregate its schools.
4. On May 2, 1974, the city of Gary was hit by a major tornado, which killed 3 people and caused millions of dollars in damages.
5. In 1811, a series of earthquakes began in what is now southern Indiana. The quakes, which were some of the most powerful in American history, continued until February 1812 and caused significant damage to the region.