1. Oregon became a state on July 3, 1859. Following an overwhelming vote in favor of statehood, President James Buchanan signed the act admitting Oregon as the 33rd state in the nation.

2. On July 3, 1890, the Oregon State Capitol was dedicated in Salem. Designed by architect Warren H. Williams, the Capitol was built over a period of six years and features a stunning dome that is 166 feet tall.

3. In 1971, the Oregon Bottle Bill was signed into law on July 3. The first of its kind in the nation, the Bottle Bill requires a deposit on beverage containers that can be redeemed when the container is returned. It has resulted in a significant reduction in litter and landfill waste.

4. On July 3, 1984, the Portland Trail Blazers drafted University of North Carolina star Michael Jordan in the NBA Draft, only to trade him to the Chicago Bulls for the rights to Sam Bowie. Many consider this to be one of the biggest draft mistakes in NBA history.

5. The first annual Waterfront Blues Festival was held in Portland on July 3, 1988. The festival has since become one of the largest blues festivals in the nation, attracting thousands of visitors each year to enjoy world-class music on the banks of the Willamette River.