May 21, 1944
While everyone is familiar with the Pearl Harbor attack by the Japanese in 1941, few have heard about the Pearl Harbor disaster in 1944. That’s because it was classified top secret until 1960.
On May 21, 1944 an explosion aboard the USS LST-353 while it was moored at Pearl Harbor naval base set off a chain reaction of explosions causing the ship to sink and spread fire to the surrounding ships. In all, six LSTs sank and 163 men were killed. It is believed that incident was caused by a mortar round explosion during an unloading operation.
May 22, 1992
Johnny Carson hosts his last The Tonight Show, having hosted it since 1962. His final guests were Robin Williams and Bette Midler. After retiring, Carson continued to occasionally send David Letterman jokes, which he used on his late-night program.
May 23, 1934
Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker are ambushed and killed while headed to their Bienville Parish, Louisiana hideout. A posse ambushed them and riddled them and their car with over 130 rounds of ammo. The duo and their gang are believed to have killed at least nine police officers and several civilians.