1. On May 28, 1856, John M. Harlan, a prominent Kentucky lawyer, was appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals. He would go on to serve on the court for 11 years before being appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 1877.

2. In 1896, on May 28, the Kentucky Historical Society was organized in Louisville. The society's goal was to collect and preserve important historical materials related to the state of Kentucky and to promote the study of the state's history.

3. May 28, 1937, marks a tragic moment in Kentucky history with the Nitro plant disaster. A series of explosions rocked the Nitro, West Virginia plant and sent shrapnel flying across the state line, eventually hitting Louisville. The explosions killed at least 47 people and injured hundreds more.

4. On May 28, 1953, the Kentucky Derby was run on a Wednesday for the first and only time due to Memorial Day falling on the previous Saturday. Native Dancer won the race, ridden by Eric Guerin.

5. Finally, on May 28, 2004, Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher signed a bill making Kentucky the first state in the nation to require convicted drunk drivers to have ignition interlock devices installed on their vehicles. The devices require the driver to blow into a breathalyzer before starting the vehicle and periodically while driving to monitor their blood alcohol concentration.