1. On January 17, 1912, Nebraska officially ratified the 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which established the direct election of United States Senators by popular vote. Nebraska was the 23rd state to ratify the amendment, which was ultimately ratified by 36 states and became law in 1913.

2. In 1878, on January 17, the Nebraska State Legislature passed a bill creating the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). The bill provided for the establishment of a university with several colleges, including an agricultural and mechanical college, a normal college for teacher training, and a college of the arts and sciences. The first classes at UNL were held in 1871, and the university has since grown to become a major research institution with more than 26,000 students.

3. On January 17, 1882, a group of pioneers led by Omaha businessman Charles Kurz established the town of Alliance in western Nebraska. The town was named for the alliance of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, which intersected in the area. Alliance grew rapidly and became a hub for agriculture and transportation in the region.

4. In 1939, on January 17, the Nebraska Centennial Exposition opened in Lincoln to celebrate 100 years of statehood. The exposition featured exhibits on Nebraska history, agriculture, and industry, as well as live entertainment, carnival rides, and a midway. More than two million visitors attended the exposition during its six-month run.

5. On January 17, 1992, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team defeated the Miami Hurricanes 22-0 in the Orange Bowl to win the national championship. Led by head coach Tom Osborne and quarterback Tommie Frazier, the Cornhuskers finished the season with a perfect record of 13-0 and claimed their fourth national title in school history. The victory over Miami is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances in college football history.