1. In 1859, the Oregon Constitution was adopted on March 16, marking an important milestone in Oregon's statehood. It was the first state constitution to prohibit slavery and establish the rights of women to own property and vote in school elections.

2. On March 16, 1901, Portland's historic Pittock Mansion opened its doors to the public. The grand home was built by newspaper publisher Henry Pittock and has since become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

3. In 1942, the War Relocation Authority began removing Japanese Americans from their homes on the West Coast. On March 16th of that year, the first group of Japanese Americans from Oregon and Washington were sent to the Puyallup Assembly Center in Washington.

4. The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, located in Baker City, opened its doors on March 16, 1992. The center provides visitors with an interactive experience that showcases the hardships and triumphs of pioneers traveling Westward on the Oregon Trail.

5. On March 16, 2009, the Oregon Zoo in Portland welcomed a new resident: an African elephant named Samson. Samson became a beloved member of the zoo's elephant family until his passing in 2018.