May 1970

Monday 04:

Vietnam War: Kent State shootings – The Ohio National Guard, sent to Kent State University after the ROTC building was burnt down, opens fire on students protesting at the United States' invasion of Cambodia. Four students are killed, nine are wounded.

Saturday 09:

Vietnam War: In Washington, D.C., 75,000 to 100,000 war protestors peacefully demonstrate behind a barricaded White House.

Monday 11:

The Lubbock Tornado: An F5 tornado hits downtown Lubbock, Texas, killing 26.

Tuesday 12:

Ernie Banks becomes the ninth member of the 500 home run club with a home run at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Thursday 14:

The Red Army Faction is established in Germany.

Friday 15:

Philip Lafayette Gibbs and James Earl Green killed at Jackson State University by police during student protests.

Sunday 17:

Thor Heyerdahl sets sail from Morocco on the papyrus boat Ra II to sail the Atlantic Ocean.

Tuesday 26:

The Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 becomes the first commercial transport to exceed Mach 2.

Sunday 31:

The Ancash earthquake causes a landslide that buries the town of Yungay, Peru; more than 47,000 people are killed.