1. On May 24, 1844, the first message of telegraph was sent from the U.S. Capitol to Baltimore by inventor Samuel Morse. This landmark event revolutionized global communication and paved the way for the development of electronic communication systems such as email, fax, and social media.

2. May 24, 1883, marked the opening of the Washington Monument, a national symbol commemorating the nation's first president, George Washington. The memorial stands at 555 feet tall and is the world's tallest freestanding stone structure.

3. In 1916, the National Parks Service was established on May 24, just in time for the summer season. The agency was created to protect and preserve America's natural and cultural resources for future generations to enjoy.

4. On May 24, 1965, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in the case of Griswold v. Connecticut, striking down a state law that prohibited the use of birth control. The ruling affirmed the right to privacy and paved the way for the legalization of contraception nationwide.

5. May 24, 1976, saw the opening of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, one of the most visited museums in the world. The museum contains an impressive collection of artifacts and exhibits related to the history of aviation and space exploration, including the Wright Brothers' 1903 Flyer and the Apollo 11 Command Module.