1. 1775: The Pennsylvania Rifles Created
June 30, 1775 marked the creation of the Pennsylvania Rifles, an elite group of sharpshooters who were instrumental in the American Revolution. Known for their superior marksmanship and stealthy tactics, the Pennsylvania Rifles played a key role in several battles, including the Battle of Saratoga and the Siege of Boston.

2. 1892: The Johnstown Flood
On June 30, 1892, a catastrophic flood devastated the town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The flood was caused by the failure of the South Fork Dam, which had been built on the Little Conemaugh River to create a recreational lake for wealthy members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. More than 2,200 people lost their lives in the disaster, and the town of Johnstown was forever changed.

3. 1936: The Pennsylvania Turnpike Opens
The Pennsylvania Turnpike, one of the nation's first superhighways, opened to traffic on June 30, 1936. The 160-mile long road connected Pittsburgh to Harrisburg and was designed to make travel faster, safer, and more efficient. Today, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of the busiest highways in the country, with more than 192 million vehicles traveling on it each year.

4. 1971: Pennsylvania Allows Women to Serve on Juries
Until June 30, 1971, women in Pennsylvania were not allowed to serve on juries. This discriminatory practice was finally overturned by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, which ruled that women had a constitutional right to serve on juries. This landmark decision paved the way for women to participate more fully in the legal system.

5. 2013: Pennsylvania Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
On June 30, 2013, Pennsylvania became the 19th state to legalize same-sex marriage. The decision was the result of a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of 23 same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in the state. The ruling marked a major victory for the LGBT rights movement and helped to pave the way for nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage just two years later.