May 4 in Mississippi history has witnessed significant events and milestones. Here are five interesting facts about May 4 in Mississippi history:

1. In 1865, during the Civil War, General Richard Taylor surrendered the Confederate forces in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia to Union General Edward Canby at the Citronelle, Alabama, home of Confederate General Robert L. Gibson.

2. In 1895, the Mississippi Legislature established the Mississippi Normal College, which later became the University of Southern Mississippi. The college was established to provide teacher training and vocational education.

3. In 1970, four students were killed and nine wounded when National Guardsmen opened fire on anti-Vietnam War protesters at Kent State University in Ohio. The shooting sparked protests on college campuses across the country, including at the University of Mississippi.

4. In 1972, a student strike at Jackson State University in Mississippi led to a confrontation between students and police officers that resulted in the death of two students and the injury of twelve others. The incident became known as the Jackson State massacre.

5. In 2013, Mississippi became the last state in the United States to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. The amendment was originally ratified by the required number of states in 1865, but Mississippi rejected it at the time. It was not until 148 years later, in 2013, that Mississippi officially ratified the amendment.