1. Birth of World War II Hero: On November 23, 1924, Hometown, Illinois native, Joe Foss was born. Foss went on to become a decorated Marine Corps pilot in World War II, earning the Medal of Honor for his aerial combat skills. He went on to serve as the governor of South Dakota and as the president of the National Rifle Association.

2. Illinois Becomes a State: On November 23, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state to join the United States. The state's name comes from the Illiniwek people, a Native American tribe that once lived in the region.

3. Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation: On November 23, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the fourth Thursday in November as a national Thanksgiving Day. This proclamation established the holiday as a regular part of American culture.

4. First Basketball Game: On November 23, 1895, the first ever basketball game was played in Illinois. The game was played between Hamline University and the University of Chicago and took place at the YMCA in downtown Chicago. The final score was 15-0 in favor of the University of Chicago.

5. New Beer Regulations: On November 23, 2017, a new set of beer regulations went into effect in Illinois, allowing breweries to produce more beer and distribute it directly to retailers. The regulations also made it easier for craft breweries to enter the market and compete with larger beer companies.