1. Mississippi became a state on July 1, 1817: On this day, Mississippi officially became the 20th state of the United States, marking a significant milestone in its history. The state was previously a part of the Mississippi Territory and had gained its independence from Spain and later, France.

2. The Union army occupied Vicksburg on July 1, 1863: During the American Civil War, Vicksburg, Mississippi was a key Confederate stronghold. However, the Union army, led by General Ulysses S. Grant, famously captured the city on July 4, 1863, after a brutal siege. The Union army began occupying the city on July 1, and this event marked a major turning point in the war.

3. The first public school in Mississippi was established on July 1, 1870: This day marked the opening of the first public school in Mississippi, which was known as Jefferson Davis County School. This event was a significant milestone in Mississippi’s educational history, as before this, education was mainly reserved for the wealthy and the white population.

4. Mississippi ratified the 19th Amendment on July 1, 1919: The 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, was ratified by Mississippi on this day. However, it should be noted that the state did not actually implement the amendment until 1984.

5. The Great Mississippi Flood began on July 1, 1927: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was one of the worst natural disasters in Mississippi’s history. The flood, which affected 26 states and caused the displacement of over 600,000 people, began on July 1, 1927, and lasted for months. The flood caused a great deal of destruction and led to significant changes in Mississippi’s infrastructure and flood-control policies.