1. In 1841, the Mississippi legislature passed a bill providing for the establishment of a deaf and dumb asylum, which later became known as the Mississippi School for the Deaf. This institution has provided education to deaf and hard-of-hearing students for over 175 years.

2. On December 23, 1875, the first issue of the Yazoo City Herald was published. The newspaper played an important role in the history of Yazoo City and the surrounding area, covering news and events for over a century before ultimately closing in the 1980s.

3. In 1946, a deadly tornado struck the town of Magee, Mississippi on December 23, killing 15 people and injuring many more. The storm destroyed numerous homes and businesses in the area and caused extensive damage.

4. On December 23, 1977, the Mississippi River crested at a record level of 43.2 feet in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The flooding caused widespread damage throughout the region and forced many residents to evacuate their homes.

5. In 1986, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled on a landmark case involving school funding. The court found that the state's funding formula was inadequate and ordered the legislature to make changes to provide more equal education opportunities for all students. The ruling came down on December 23, and its impact is still felt today.