1. In 1795, the state legislature of Pennsylvania passed the Gradual Abolition Act, which released all children born to enslaved parents after 1780 from bondage when they reached the age of 28. This was one of the first steps taken by any state in the country towards the gradual abolition of slavery.

2. On January 31, 1865, Pennsylvania native Thaddeus Stevens was instrumental in pushing through the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the United States. Stevens, a Congressman from Lancaster, was a fierce abolitionist who fought for the rights of Black Americans throughout his political career.

3. In 1917, a massive explosion at a munitions factory in Chester, Pennsylvania killed over 130 people and injured hundreds more. The plant, which was producing shells for the Allied forces during World War I, was completely destroyed in the explosion, which was one of the worst industrial disasters in U.S. history.

4. On January 31, 1956, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Roberto Clemente was awarded the first of his 12 Gold Glove Awards for his defensive prowess on the baseball field. Clemente, who was born in Puerto Rico and played his entire career with the Pirates, was one of the most talented and beloved players in the history of the game.

5. January 31, 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the deadliest train wreck in U.S. history, which occurred in Nashville, Tennessee but had a significant impact on Pennsylvania. Over 100 people were killed and hundreds more were injured when two trains collided on a foggy night, including a number of soldiers who were returning from training camps in Pennsylvania during World War I. The tragedy led to significant changes in safety regulations for railroads across the country.