1. In 1835, the state of Illinois appropriated funds to build the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which would eventually link the Great Lakes with the Mississippi River. The canal played a crucial role in the state's economic development and helped establish Chicago as a major transportation hub.

2. In 1915, the first official airmail delivery in the United States took place between Chicago and Springfield, Illinois. The pilot, a young aviator by the name of Lieutenant George Boyle, made the historic flight in a Curtiss JN-4 biplane, carrying 1,280 letters.

3. On January 30, 1925, Illinois saw one of its worst blizzards on record, with snowfall totaling more than two feet in some areas. The storm caused widespread damage and forced many communities to close schools and businesses for several days.

4. In 1966, civil rights activist and leader Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle Campus. The speech, which was part of King's efforts to promote fair housing and equal rights, drew thousands of attendees and helped inspire new activism in the struggle for civil rights in Illinois.

5. January 30, 1982 marked the dedication of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, located in Skokie, Illinois. The museum is dedicated to preserving the memories of Holocaust survivors and educating the public about the dangers of hatred and discrimination. It has since become a major destination for visitors from around the world.