1. On April 14, 1818, Alabama's first governor, William Wyatt Bibb, passed away from injuries sustained in a horseback riding accident. Bibb had been instrumental in leading Alabama to statehood in 1819, and his death was a significant loss for the young state.

2. The Civil War came to Alabama on April 14, 1861, when Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. Alabama was a major contributor to the Confederate war effort, and the state played a crucial role in many of the war's most significant battles.

3. On April 14, 1939, the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery was dedicated. The building was designed by Georgia architect Frank Lockwood, and construction took over a decade to complete. Today, the Capitol serves as the seat of Alabama's state government.

4. The historic Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on April 14, 2007. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of black aviators.

5. Baseball legend Hank Aaron hit his first major league home run on April 14, 1954, while playing for the Milwaukee Braves. Aaron was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, and throughout his career he remained an important figure in the state's sports history.