1. May 2, 1859, was the day that the Oregon Constitution was officially adopted. This created the groundwork for Oregon to become the 33rd state in the US on February 14, 1860.
2. On May 2, 1881, the first Chinese-American U.S. ambassador, Anson Burlingame, died in Italy. Burlingame was originally from Massachusetts but had lived in Portland, Oregon, for several years before going into politics.
3. In 1905, on May 2, a fire destroyed the city of Jacksonville, Oregon. This historic town had been a hub of gold mining and was now known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture. The fire started in a hotel and spread quickly due to the profuse wooden buildings, causing $1 million in damages.
4. May 2, 1972 saw the founding of the Oregon Bach Festival in Eugene, Oregon. This annual event brings together renowned musicians and choral singers from across the world to celebrate the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and other composers.
5. On May 2, 2007, Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski signed a bill legalizing civil unions between same-sex couples in the state. This was a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in Oregon, paving the way for same-sex marriage to be recognized and legalized in 2014.