May 2011 Current Events: U.S. News

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

World News | Disasters & Science News

Here are the key events in U. S. news for the month of May 2011.

• Data Shows Bin Laden Plotted Attacks (May 5): Documents and computer files found at the compound where Osama bin Laden was killed show that he played a direct role in plotting terror attacks for years. The evidence prompts the Obama administration to issue a warning that last year Al Qaeda considered attacks on American railroads.

• Last Minute Jockey Wins Kentucky Derby (May 7): Two days after his horse, Uncle Mo, is scratched from the race, jockey John Velazquez wins the Kentucky Derby riding Animal Kingdom. Velazquez agrees to substitute for Animal Kingdom's regular rider, Robby Albarado, who broke his nose four days before the race.

• Obama Calls for Israel/Palestine Peace Deal Based on 1967 Borders (May 19): In an effort to capitalize on the season of change in the Arab world, President Obama declares that the borders before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war should be the basis of a Mideast peace deal between Israel and Palestine. He also says that the borders should be adjusted to account for Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Obama's speech comes a day before a meeting in Washington with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. The Israeli government protests immediately, saying that a return to the pre-1967 borders would leave Israel "indefensible."

• Democrat Wins Key GOP Seat (May 24): Underdog Kathy Hochul upsets Republican Jane Corwin in one of New York's most conservative congressional districts. Hochul's win is largely due to her attack on the Republican's support for Rep Paul D. Ryan's proposal to overhaul Medicare. Hochul captures 47% of the vote. The loss leaves Republicans questioning their commitment to the Medicare plan, heading into the 2012 elections. Houchul is only the second Democrat since 1953 to win New York's 26th congressional district.

• Judge Voids New Wisconsin Union Law (May 26): Judge Maryann Sumi of Dane County Circuit Court grants a permanent injunction that voids the new law curbing collective bargaining rights for many state and local employees. The ruling comes because Republicans in the state senate violated the state's open meetings law during their vote on March 9th, when they failed to give at least two hours' notice to the public. This is a setback to senate Republicans and Gov. Scott Walker who have already endured heated protest while pushing hard for this law.