1. On May 6, 1889, the Great Seattle Fire broke out, destroying over 25 blocks of the city's central business district. The fire led to the creation of stricter building codes and the implementation of firefighting strategies that are still in use today.

2. The May 6, 1937, issue of the Washington Daily News reported on the Hindenburg disaster, a catastrophic fire that destroyed the German airship and killed 36 people. The tragedy marked the end of the era of airship travel.

3. On May 6, 1943, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed due to strong winds, a phenomenon known as "aeroelastic flutter." The disaster led to the development of better wind tunnel testing and structural engineering methods.

4. May 6, 1954, marked the first successful climb of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Although the climb itself did not take place in Washington, many climbers travel to the state to train for high-altitude expeditions.

5. In 1970, May 6 was designated as "Prayer Day for Peace" in Washington State by Governor Dan Evans. Each year, a different religious group is designated to lead the day's observances, which include prayers, speeches, and other activities promoting peace and understanding.