On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington erupts, causing a massive avalanche and killing 57 people. Ash from the volcanic eruption fell as far away as Minnesota. Millions of trees were scorched and burned by the hot air alone. When the glacier atop the mountain melted, a massive mudslide wiped out homes and dammed up rivers throughout the area. The plume of ash belched out for nine hours; easterly winds carried it across the state and as far away as Minneapolis, Minnesota. The falling ash clogged carburetors and thousands of motorists were stranded. Fifty-seven people died overall from suffocation, burns and other assorted injuries. Twenty-seven bodies, including that of the stubborn Harry Truman, were never found. Mount St. Helens went from 9,600 feet high to only 8,300 feet high in a matter of seconds. Find Mount St. Helens at the library and on hoopla.

On May 18, 1958, LaVern Baker hits #2 on the R&B chart and #6 (2/23/59) on the pop chart with the Atlantic single “I Cried A Tear.” Find LaVern Baker crying a tear at the library, on hoopla and in Freegal.