1. On February 24, 1859, Oregon was admitted as the 33rd state in the United States. The state was originally established as a territory in 1848 and named after the Columbia River, which was named after the explorer Christopher Columbus.

2. In 1918, a massive flood hit Portland, Oregon on February 24, causing major damage to the city. The flood was caused by heavy rains and melting snow in the mountains, and resulted in 16 deaths and over $50 million in damages.

3. On February 24, 1961, the Oregon State Capitol building was destroyed by a fire. The fire was caused by a cigarette left smoldering in a wastebasket and resulted in the death of the State Librarian, who was trapped in the building.

4. In 1995, Oregon became the first state in the United States to legalize physician-assisted suicide. The Oregon Death with Dignity Act was signed into law on February 24, 1995, and allows terminally ill patients to obtain a prescription for lethal medication to end their life.

5. On February 24, 2011, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit off the coast of Oregon, causing minor damage but no injuries. The earthquake was one of several that shook the Pacific Northwest around that time, prompting concerns about the potential for a major earthquake in the region.