NRA meets

May 14: The National Rifle Association begins its meeting in Charlotte, N.C., on this day, with a focus on rallying members to support pro-gun candidates in the mid-term elections. Former vice­presidential candidate Sarah Palin will speak at the meeting.

Lawsuits come due

May 16: The first of a number of lawsuits against government agencies in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks will hit a Manhattan courtroom on May 16 unless lawyers for each side reach a settlement deal acceptable to the judge in charge of the cases beforehand. Earlier this year, U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected a $657.5 million settlement deal between emergency workers who responded to the New York City terrorist event and city agencies named as defendants in the class-action suit.

Planning for Swine Flu

May 17: When the nearly 3,000 delegates to this year's World Health Assembly convene in Geneva, the representatives of 190 nations will attempt to plan for a possible H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic. The World Health Organization estimates that over the next two years, about 2 billion people-or one-third of Earth's population-will catch the Swine Flu.

Presidential book debuts

May 18: A book detailing President Barack Obama's first year in office hits bookstore shelves today. The book, written by liberal Newsweek editor Jonathan Alter, is titled The Promise: President Obama, Year One. But despite the timeliness, Alter's books may see flagging sales. Another recent Obama biography, The Bridge, has failed to crack USA Today's Top 50 Best-Selling Book List despite rave reviews.

Happy 200th, Argentina

May 25: Two centuries ago today, revolutionaries in Argentina deposed the Spanish viceroy in Buenos Aires and formed a military junta. Following the example of Buenos Aires, other nearby provinces broke away from the Spanish Empire and fought for independence. Six years later, after defeating the royalists, Argentina finally declared independence.