1. On April 16, 1866, a group of 13 men formed the town of La Grande in Eastern Oregon. The town quickly grew into an important transportation hub for the region, with a railroad connecting it to the rest of the state and beyond.

2. In 1960, on April 16th, the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem was the site of a major prison riot. Over 1,000 inmates were involved in the disturbance, which lasted for several hours and resulted in extensive property damage. The incident led to a series of reforms aimed at improving conditions within the state's prison system.

3. April 16, 1947, saw one of the worst disasters in Oregon history when a ship carrying ammonium nitrate fertilizer exploded in the port of Texas City. The blast destroyed much of the surrounding area and killed over 500 people, including several Oregonians who were on board the ship.

4. On April 16, 1934, the first commercial flight departed from Portland International Airport. The airport, which is now the largest in Oregon, has since become a major transportation hub for the Pacific Northwest and serves millions of passengers each year.

5. Finally, on April 16, 1914, the Oregon State Legislature passed the "Mother's Pension Act," which provided financial assistance to single mothers and widows with children. This landmark legislation was seen as a major victory for women's rights and helped to improve the lives of countless Oregon families during a time of economic hardship.