1. In 1867, Nebraska was admitted as the 37th state of the United States. The state's admission followed the passage of the Nebraska Statehood Bill by Congress, which allowed Nebraska to become a state despite opposition from some lawmakers who were concerned about the potential expansion of slavery in the region.

2. In 1914, the first successful transcontinental motorcar race ended in Nebraska. The race, which started in New York City and covered over 3,400 miles, was won by a Stutz Bearcat driven by Earl Cooper. Cooper completed the race in just under nine days, setting a new record in the process.

3. In 1965, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln became the first public university in the United States to establish a degree program in ethnic studies. The program, which focused on the history, culture, and experiences of ethnic minority groups in the United States, was intended to help promote greater understanding and appreciation among different groups.

4. In 1980, the Nebraska Legislature passed a law requiring the use of seat belts in all vehicles on Nebraska roads. The law was designed to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by automobile accidents. Today, Nebraska has one of the highest seat belt usage rates in the United States.

5. In 2012, a massive wildfire broke out in the Nebraska Sandhills region, burning more than 200,000 acres of grassland and causing significant damage to homes, ranches, and other properties. The fire was one of the largest in Nebraska history, and it took several days for firefighters to bring it under control. Despite the scale of the blaze, there were no fatalities or serious injuries reported.