1. On October 12, 1793, the first cornerstone was laid for the Pennsylvania State House, which is now known as Independence Hall. This iconic building served as the location for the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the United States Constitution.

2. In 1843, the first wagon train of emigrants from Pennsylvania left for Oregon. This journey, known as the Oregon Trail, was a popular route for those seeking new opportunities in the West.

3. On October 12, 1870, Ida Tarbell was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. Tarbell was a pioneering investigative journalist who exposed the corrupt business practices of John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil, leading to the breakup of the company.

4. In 1928, construction began on the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh. This iconic building, which stands at 535 feet tall, took over a decade to complete and is now the second-tallest university building in the world.

5. On October 12, 1986, a monument was dedicated in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to mark the 125th anniversary of the famous Civil War battle. The monument, which stands 60 feet tall, was designed to honor the soldiers who fought and died at the Battle of Gettysburg.