1. In 1833, Mississippi's first agricultural fair was held in Jackson, featuring exhibits and competitions for livestock, crops, and artisanal goods.

2. On October 17, 1935, the town of Tupelo, Mississippi was devastated by a tornado that killed over 200 people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings.

3. In 1958, the University of Mississippi became the first public university in the state to officially desegregate and enroll African American students.

4. On October 17, 2005, Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts continued in Mississippi, with thousands of homes and businesses still without power or basic services after the storm hit in August.

5. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Mississippi History Museum, both located in Jackson, opened on October 17, 2017, with exhibits highlighting the state's complex history of racial discrimination and civil rights activism.