1. In 1871, the University of Mississippi was established in Oxford. The university was originally known as the Mississippi University but changed its name to the University of Mississippi in 1892.

2. On November 17, 1884, the famous Mississippi state flag was adopted. The flag features a blue field with a red border and a Confederate battle emblem in the center. The emblem has been the subject of controversy in recent years, with some arguing that it is a symbol of racism and oppression.

3. In 1933, the Great Mississippi River Flood began, which is considered to be one of the most destructive natural disasters in American history. The flood damaged or destroyed over 20,000 homes and forced nearly a million people to be displaced. The flooding lasted for several months and caused widespread damage throughout the state.

4. On November 17, 1962, novelist William Faulkner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Faulkner, who was born in Mississippi and spent most of his life there, is widely regarded as one of the most important American writers of the 20th century.

5. In 1992, the Mississippi Gulf Coast was hit by Hurricane Andrew, which was one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit the United States. The storm caused widespread damage and resulted in over $26 billion in damages. The hurricane is still remembered as one of the worst natural disasters in Mississippi history.