1. In 1937, a massive flood hit the state of West Virginia, causing widespread destruction and claiming 153 lives. The flood was caused by heavy rainfall that occurred over the course of several days, and it is still considered one of the worst natural disasters in the state's history.

2. On May 2, 1874, the state's first mental hospital, the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane, opened in Weston. The hospital, now known as the William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, still serves the mental health needs of the state's residents to this day.

3. On May 2, 1933, the iconic Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg officially opened its doors. The hotel, which was once a hub of political and social activity in the state, has since been restored and continues to be a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

4. On May 2, 1938, the West Virginia Turnpike Commission was established. The commission oversaw the construction of the state's first toll road, the West Virginia Turnpike, which stretched from Charleston to Princeton. Today, the road is a vital transportation artery for the state's residents and visitors.

5. On May 2, 1961, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American to travel into space. Shepard's historic flight did not originate in West Virginia, but the state was later chosen as the site for a new NASA facility, the Goddard Space Flight Center, which opened in 1963 in Greenbelt.