1. Golden Gate Bridge opens: May 28, 1937, marks the opening day of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It is one of California's most recognizable landmarks and serves as a vital transportation hub for commuters and tourists alike.

2. California becomes a state: May 28, 1846, saw California declared as a state of the United States. Previously it had been a Mexican territory, but the Mexican-American War had led to its acquisition by the US.

3. NASA's first spacecraft launch: Ranger 1, NASA's first spacecraft launch, took place on May 28, 1961, from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The spacecraft was designed to explore the moon's surface and went down in history as a pioneering achievement in American space exploration.

4. The birth of Gladys Knight: May 28, 1944, marked the birth of legendary singer Gladys Knight in Atlanta, Georgia. Knight later moved to Los Angeles and became famous for hits such as "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Neither One of Us".

5. Loma Prieta earthquake: On May 28, 1995, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Loma Prieta, California. The earthquake caused significant damage to the area, including several buildings in downtown Santa Cruz. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported.