1. The Oregon Territory was created on May 13, 1846, when President James K. Polk signed a bill into law. This act established Oregon as a separate territory, which included all of present-day Oregon, Washington, and parts of Idaho and Montana.

2. On May 13, 1915, the first transcontinental phone call was made from New York City to San Francisco. The call was relayed through several intermediate states, including Oregon. This marked a significant milestone in the development of long-distance communication.

3. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one of the largest and most prestigious theater festivals in the United States, opened its first season on May 13, 1935. The festival continues to attract theater lovers from around the world to Ashland, Oregon, where it is held each year.

4. On May 13, 1948, the University of Oregon became the first college in the United States to offer a degree in sports marketing. The program was established by Bill Bowerman, the legendary track coach and co-founder of Nike.

5. The Mount St. Helens volcano in southern Washington erupted on May 18, 1980, killing 57 people and causing widespread devastation. However, the initial signs of the eruption were detected by scientists at the United States Geological Survey on May 13, who observed a swarm of earthquakes and other indicators that suggested an imminent eruption. These early warnings may have saved many lives by giving officials time to evacuate the area.