1. Nebraska became a state in the year 1861 on July 23rd. The state was created out of the Nebraska Territory, which had been established by an act of Congress in 1854. The state was admitted into the Union during the Civil War, and its central location played a key role in its support of the Union cause.

2. In 1909, the first airplane flight in the state of Nebraska took place on July 23rd at the Douglas County Fair. Pilot Arch Hoxsey flew a Wright Flyer for over 10 minutes, thrilling the crowd and setting a new aviation record for the state.

3. The Nebraska State Capitol Building was completed on July 23, 1932, after 10 years of construction. At the time of its completion, it was the tallest building in the state, standing at 400 feet tall. Today, it remains an iconic symbol of Nebraska and a popular tourist destination.

4. On July 23, 1984, Nebraska native Mary Stauffer and her 8-year-old daughter were kidnapped and held captive for 53 days. Fortunately, they were eventually rescued by authorities, and their kidnapper was brought to justice. The case made national headlines and brought attention to the issue of child abduction.

5. In 2012, Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on July 23rd. Osborne coached the Cornhuskers for 25 seasons, leading the team to three national championships and numerous conference titles. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history.