1. On May 2, 1810, the first issue of Vermont's first newspaper, the Burlington Free Press, was published. The paper, still in circulation today, was founded by lawyer and politician William C. Bradley and originally titled The Weekly Free Press.

2. May 2, 1863 marked the beginning of the St. Albans Raid, a controversial Confederate raid on the town of St. Albans. The raiders, dressed as civilians, robbed three banks and set fire to a hotel before fleeing back to Canada. The raid sparked debate over whether it constituted an act of war or a criminal act.

3. On May 2, 1930, a devastating fire destroyed much of the town of Waterbury. The fire began in a garage and quickly spread due to high winds, eventually causing over $1.5 million in damage. Several buildings, including the town hall and a popular hotel, were destroyed.

4. May 2, 1954 was the day that Bernie Sanders, future U.S. Senator and presidential candidate, graduated from James Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York. Sanders would later attend the University of Chicago and become involved in activism and politics.

5. On May 2, 1974, Vermont became the first state to elect a woman governor without her husband having previously held the position. Madeleine Kunin, a Democrat, served as governor from 1985 to 1991 and was known for her advocacy for education and environmental causes.