1. On July 31, 1792, Kentucky became the 15th state to be admitted to the Union. The state was formed from land ceded by Virginia, and it was named after the Native American word "Kentake," meaning "land of tomorrow."

2. One of the most famous events in Kentucky history occurred on July 31, 1863, during the Civil War. The Battle of Cumberland Gap took place, in which a Confederate force led by General John W. Frazer attacked and briefly captured a Union garrison. The Union forces ultimately recaptured the fortress, and the battle became an important strategic victory for the North.

3. On July 31, 1930, a devastating tornado swept through rural areas of Kentucky and Tennessee, killing more than 70 people and leaving thousands homeless. The storm was part of a larger outbreak of severe weather that struck the Midwest and South during the summer of that year.

4. In 1972, the federal government designated parts of eastern Kentucky as the Daniel Boone National Forest, in honor of the legendary American frontiersman who explored the region in the late 18th century. The forest covers over 700 square miles and is home to numerous hiking trails, campgrounds, and other outdoor recreation opportunities.

5. On July 31, 2014, the Kentucky Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage, making it legal for gay and lesbian couples to wed in the state for the first time. The decision was part of a larger trend in which numerous states reevaluated their marriage equality laws in the early 21st century.