1. On July 16, 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through what is now the northeast corner of Nebraska on their way to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. The explorers encountered various Native American tribes along the way, including the Omaha and Ponca.

2. The first official territorial government of Nebraska was established on July 16, 1855, when President Franklin Pierce signed the Nebraska-Kansas Act into law. This act created the territories of Nebraska and Kansas and allowed for the popular sovereignty of its residents to determine whether slavery would be allowed in each territory.

3. One of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in Nebraska history occurred on July 16, 1927. This outbreak produced multiple tornadoes that struck several towns in eastern Nebraska, including Omaha, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens more.

4. On July 16, 1935, the Union Pacific Railroad's new "City of Los Angeles" train made its inaugural trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through Nebraska. It was one of the fastest and most luxurious trains of its time, featuring amenities such as air conditioning, dining cars, and observation lounges.

5. In 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the Apollo 11 mission to become the first humans to set foot on the moon. The mission was launched on July 16, and while the event itself did not directly impact Nebraska, it marked a significant moment in world history that took place on this day.