1. May 2, 1775: New Hampshire raises its first troops for the Revolutionary War
On May 2, 1775, New Hampshire effectively joined the fight for independence by raising its first troops for the Revolutionary War. The state's soldiers were instrumental in the initial campaigns against the British, and their contributions helped lay the foundation for the eventual victory at Yorktown.

2. May 2, 1792: New Hampshire's first newspaper published
On May 2, 1792, the state's first newspaper, the New Hampshire Gazette, was published in Portsmouth. The weekly paper, which continued to publish for over 200 years, became an important source of information for the state's citizens and helped shape public opinion on a variety of important issues.

3. May 2, 1863: Battle of Chancellorsville begins
One of the bloodiest and most important battles of the Civil War began in Virginia on May 2, 1863. Although New Hampshire troops were not heavily involved in the initial fighting, they played a significant role in the later stages of the battle and helped secure a Union victory.

4. May 2, 1894: First Labor Day celebrated in New Hampshire
On May 2, 1894, workers across the state celebrated the first official Labor Day holiday. The day was intended to recognize the contributions of the state's workers and to encourage the development of better working conditions and higher wages.

5. May 2, 1930: New Hampshire native Ralph B. Baldwin becomes first civilian pilot to fly faster than sound
On May 2, 1930, Manchester native Ralph B. Baldwin became the first civilian pilot to fly faster than the speed of sound. Baldwin, who was working as a test pilot for the United States Army Air Corps, reached a top speed of 770 miles per hour in his experimental aircraft, breaking the sound barrier for the first time.