1. On December 12, 1917, the state of Oregon became the first state in the country to impose a gasoline tax. The tax was initially set at one cent per gallon and was used to fund the construction and maintenance of roads and highways.

2. The Oregon State Capitol was dedicated on December 12, 1938, after five years of construction. The building is known for its distinctive Art Deco style and features a 121-foot-tall tower that is topped by a bronze statue of a golden pioneer.

3. On December 12, 1974, the Greenfield School in Oregon City was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The school, which was built in 1869, is the oldest one-room schoolhouse in continuous use in Oregon.

4. In 2003, December 12 was officially declared Oregon Indian Day by Governor Ted Kulongoski. The day honors the contributions and culture of Oregon's native peoples.

5. On December 12, 2018, Oregon became the first state in the country to ban offshore drilling in its state waters. The move was aimed at protecting the state's coastline and marine life from the potential environmental impacts of oil and gas exploration.