1. On August 23, 1786, New Hampshire adopted its state constitution, becoming the ninth state in the Union to do so. This event marked an important milestone in the country's early history and established many of the foundational principles of government and individual rights that we still hold today.

2. In 1835, the Great New Hampshire Bank Robbery occurred in the town of Portsmouth. A group of criminals stole over $200,000 from the New Hampshire Bank, making it one of the largest heists in the country at the time. Although many of the robbers were eventually caught and punished, some of the money was never recovered.

3. August 23, 1902, saw the opening of the Mount Washington Observatory, a high-altitude weather station located on the summit of Mount Washington. The observatory has since become famous for its extreme weather conditions, including some of the highest wind speeds ever recorded on the planet.

4. On August 23, 1945, the New Hampshire state flag was officially adopted. Designed by local artist Otis Tufton Mason, the flag features the state seal surrounded by laurel leaves, with the state motto "Live Free or Die" emblazoned on a ribbon at the bottom.

5. August 23, 1996 marked the beginning of the 16th New Hampshire Highland Games, an annual celebration of traditional Scottish culture held at Loon Mountain Resort. The event includes a wide range of activities, including music, dance, athletic competitions, and even a sheepdog trial.