1. In 1935, the Supreme Court of Illinois upheld the validity of the state's first gasoline tax law, which was passed to fund the construction of highways and bridges. The tax was set at one cent per gallon of gasoline sold in the state.

2. May 25, 1961 marks the date when President John F. Kennedy announced the goal of sending a man to the moon before the end of the decade. Illinois played a significant role in this effort, with many of NASA's astronauts and support staff coming from the state.

3. On May 25, 1997, the Chicago Bulls won their fifth NBA championship by defeating the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. This victory marked the end of Michael Jordan's second three-peat, and cemented his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

4. The Illinois State Capitol building was dedicated on May 25, 1888. The building was designed by Elijah E. Myers and features a prominent dome, which is adorned with a statue of Liberty atop it.

5. In 1934, the first Mother's Day pancake breakfast was held in Chicago. The event was organized by the Chicago Lion's Club and served as a fundraiser for various charitable causes. The tradition continues to this day, with many restaurants and organizations hosting pancake breakfasts on Mother's Day in honor of the special day.