1. The Kentucky Derby has been held on May 7 on four different occasions: in 1892, 1898, 1910, and 2016. The Derby is the most famous horse race in the world and is often referred to as the "most exciting two minutes in sports."

2. On May 7, 1861, Kentucky declared its neutrality at the outbreak of the American Civil War. Despite this declaration, both the Union and Confederate sides tried to convince the state to join their cause, leading to a significant amount of fighting and guerrilla warfare on Kentucky soil.

3. On May 7, 1931, the legendary singer and actor, Harry Belafonte, was born in Harlem, New York. While not a native of Kentucky, Belafonte has performed in the state many times and counts it as one of his favorite places to visit.

4. In 1988, on May 7, a major tornado outbreak struck parts of Kentucky and several other Midwestern states. The outbreak produced multiple tornadoes, one of which hit the town of Cloverport and killed six people.

5. May 7, 1954, saw the passage of the Brown v. Board of Education decision by the United States Supreme Court. This landmark ruling declared that state laws requiring racial segregation in schools were unconstitutional, leading to the desegregation of schools across the country, including in Kentucky.