1. The Battle of Gettysburg ended on August 31, 1863, marking the conclusion of a major turning point in the Civil War. The three-day battle resulted in over 50,000 casualties and a crucial Union victory that shifted the momentum of the war in their favor.

2. Pennsylvania native and baseball legend Roberto Clemente was born on August 31, 1934. Clemente played 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and became the first Latin American player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

3. The first recorded game of American football was played on August 31, 1876, between Princeton University and Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. While not technically a Pennsylvania event, this game marked the birth of a sport that would become one of the most popular in the country, especially in Pennsylvania.

4. The Pennsylvania State Capitol building was dedicated on August 31, 1906, after nearly 30 years of construction. The Capitol is an architectural masterpiece designed by Joseph Huston and features artwork and decorations by some of the most renowned artists and artisans of the time.

5. The famous Hershey's chocolate bar was first marketed on August 31, 1900, by the Hershey Chocolate Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This delicious and iconic treat has become synonymous with Pennsylvania and is enjoyed by millions of people around the world.