Event:
Parts of the U.S. Patriot Act, including authorization of bulk phone data collection by the National Security Administration, expire due to lack of agreement in the Senate regarding extension
More Notable Events on May 31:
1990 Seinfeld starring Jerry Seinfeld, debuts on NBC as Seinfeld Chronicles
1977 Trans Alaska oil pipeline completed
1889 Johnstown Flood; 2,209 die in Pennsylvania
1879 Madison Square Garden opens
1621 Sir Francis Bacon thrown into Tower of London for 1 night