HowStuffWorks - May: This Month in History

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HowStuffWorks Presents: This Month In History

May: Maia's Month

April showers bring May flowers, and May has long been a month celebrating abundance. The month may have been named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May.

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Featured Content

The Empire State Building is Completed

King Kong's famous climb to the top of the Empire State Building was a product placement of sorts. The nearly bankrupt owners hoped the publicity would attract some tenants to their two-million-square foot enterprise. Learn all about New York City’s tallest skyscraper, from its Waldorf Astor roots to its dizzying construction and completion on May 1, 1930. Read More

First Coca-Cola Served
Coca-Cola, one of the world's most-recognized brands, was first served on May 8, 1886. Learn about the history of Coca-Cola and the impact that it has had on pop culture. Read More

National No Pants Day
No Pants Day is a little-known holiday on May 4 that celebrates not taking oneself seriously. Learn how to celebrate No Pants Day and explore No Pants Day events. Read More

Mickey Mantle Hits First Home Run
Mickey Mantle may be the greatest baseball player of all time. Explore Mickey Mantle's baseball career, including his first home run on May 1, 1951, and his life after baseball. Read More

The Hindenburg Crashes
The Hindenburg crash on May 6, 1937 was a disaster on the scale of the Titanic. Learn all about the disaster, from the history of dirigibles to what may have gone wrong. Read More

Transcontinental Railroad Completed
When they put the "golden spike" into the last piece of track of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869, it seemed like a miracle. Learn about the Transcontinental Railroad and the railway-building explosion that followed. Read More

Mount St. Helens Erupts
The landslide at Mount St. Helens was the largest in human history. Find out exactly what happened at Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, and what the area looks like today. Read More

Charles Lindbergh's First Solo Flight
The idea that someone could fly across the Atlantic Ocean completely captured people's imaginations. Learn how Charles Lindbergh became a celebrity on May 20, 1927. Read More

Video: Mickey Mantle's Home Run

Featured Video: Mickey Mantle
Watch Mickey Mantle hit a home run in this video on HowStuffWorks.

Video courtesy of www.wildform.com

May Is National BBQ Month

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