1. In 1861, Kentucky declared neutrality amidst the Civil War. However, on May 26, 1861, Confederate forces led by General Simon Bolivar Buckner occupied Bowling Green, Kentucky, marking the beginning of the state's involvement in the war.

2. On May 26, 1938, the Kentucky Bend, a small piece of land on the Mississippi River that was cut off from the rest of Kentucky by a flood and a new channel of the river, was officially added to the state of Tennessee.

3. In 1955, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association was founded in Kentucky on May 26. The NTRA is a trade organization that promotes and regulates horse racing in North America.

4. On May 26, 2015, the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, opened an exhibit dedicated to the life and legacy of the famous boxer and activist. The exhibit includes artifacts and interactive displays showcasing Ali's boxing career and social activism.

5. Kentucky was the 15th state to join the Union, on June 1, 1792. However, on May 26, 1976, Kentucky became the first state to establish a cabinet-level Department of Energy and Environment, focusing on protecting the state's natural resources and promoting energy efficiency.