1) On May 11, 1918, a massive fire broke out in the town of Jerome, Arizona, destroying over 100 structures and leaving more than 1,000 people homeless.

2) In 1935, the Hoover Dam was officially dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 11. The dam is considered an engineering marvel and is a major tourist attraction.

3) On May 11, 1961, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American to enter space when he piloted the Freedom 7 spacecraft on a suborbital flight. Shepard's historic flight paved the way for future space exploration.

4) In 1987, the state of Arizona designated turquoise as its official gemstone on May 11. Turquoise is a valuable mineral found throughout the state and has been an important part of local Native American cultures for centuries.

5) On May 11, 1996, the Grand Canyon National Park celebrated its 75th anniversary. The park, which was established in 1919, is one of the most visited national parks in the United States and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.