A cancer diagnosis has a way of changing one’s view on life. 300 Seconds is a reflection on this new perspective, and marks the beginning of a new day.

At 12:05am on November 3, 1930, the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel between the U.S. and Canada officially opened to car traffic. At the time it was the only international subaqueous tunnel in the world. The first passenger car through the tunnel was reportedly a 1929 Studebaker.

On January 28, 2011, Egypt took the unprecedented step of shutting down all Internet connections and cellphone services, beginning at 12:12am. This song contemplates the relationship between a long-distance couple and the heightened insecurity that ensues when their technology- dependent efforts to communicate go unanswered.

On November 15, 1931, at 12:15am, police responded to reports of raucously loud activity at the residence of Father Divine, a spiritual leader whose followers believed him to be God. This song envisions a young man who turned down an invitation to attend a Father Divine weekend retreat. The invitation came from a young woman who is now at the retreat and about to answer a door where police are waiting on the other side.

On September 18, 2014, at 12:20am, Egyptian scuba diver Ahmed Gabr (أحمد جبر ) surfaced from a record-breaking dive of 332.35 meters (1,090.4 ft).

The first same-sex couple to be legally married in Maine exchanged their vows during a short ceremony in the Portland City Clerk’s Office at approximately 12:25am on December 29, 2012.

Apollo 17, the last time astronauts were sent to the moon, launched at 12:33am on December 7, 1972. This song imagines the child of one of the astronauts watching the liftoff on a tv set in the middle of the night, half-awake, and dreaming about a scenario where she herself sneaks onto the spacecraft so that she can be with her father. He discovers her mid-flight, and sends her back to earth in a small capsule, but she plans to re-route the flight so that she can meet up with her dad on the moon.

The Book of Ruth describes the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, and the precarious position Ruth is put in.

Forty minutes after being abandoned by the woman of his dreams, Prince Charming is alone and confused.

On March 3, 1991 at about 12:45am, Rodney King pulled over and stopped on Foothill Boulevard after a high speed pursuit by LAPD officers.

On May 11, 2007 at 12:50am, journalist Tasneem Khalil was at home playing with his 6-month old son when Bangladeshi army security officers forced their way into the apartment. Without a warrant, officers proceeded to ransack the residence and confiscated personal belongings before taking Mr. Khalil into custody.

Having already endured three failed open-water attempts between Cuba and Florida, Diana Nyad began a fourth attempt on August 18, 2012. Halfway to the finish line and forty-one hours later, a decision was made to end the swim early due in part to severe jellyfish stings and extreme weather; she was pulled out of the water at 12:55am.