1. Birth of Josephine Boyce: On May 31, 1861, Josephine Boyce was born in Charleston, South Carolina. She would later become a renowned artist, illustrator, and author, known for her depictions of the Lowcountry and its people.

2. Military Engagement during the Civil War: May 31, 1862, saw the Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks. It was fought during the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War in Virginia, but among the Confederate troops who participated was the Hampton Legion, a South Carolina unit.

3. South Carolina Secession Convention: On May 31, 1865, the South Carolina Secession Convention was officially dissolved. The Convention had been responsible for the state's secession from the Union in December 1860, and for drafting the first constitution of the Confederacy in February 1861.

4. Establishment of Seabrook Island: May 31, 1967, marked the establishment of Seabrook Island, a barrier island located off the coast of Charleston. The island has a rich history, including being home to Native American communities, being used as pirate hideouts, and functioning as a plantation with enslaved labor.

5. Birth of Stephen Colbert: Stephen Colbert, the comedian, writer, and television host, was born in Washington, D.C. on May 31, 1964. However, Colbert has strong ties to South Carolina, as he grew up in Charleston and attended The Porter-Gaud School, a private preparatory school in the area.