May 22nd in history:

Only two volcanic eruptions occurred in the U.S. during the 20th century. One was the Mount St. Helens eruption of 1980. The other happened on May 22nd, 1915, with an explosion at Lassen Peak in northern California.

A Continental Airlines flight between Chicago and Kansas City exploded on May 22nd, 1962, killing all 45 people aboard. One of the passengers, who had earlier taken out a large insurance policy, apparently planted a bomb in a restroom. The plane exploded over southern Iowa, with wreckage landing in both Iowa and Missouri.  The tragedy reportedly inspired part of the plot of the 1970 movie “Airport.”

In May of 1962, Iowa native Johnny Carson was preparing to take over NBC’s “Tonight Show.” He had just been hired to replace the departing Jack Paar. Carson stayed on as host of “Tonight” longer than any other person, almost 30 years, ending his run on May 22nd, 1992.