1. In 1870, the first Oregon State Penitentiary was opened in Salem, Oregon, making it the oldest prison west of the Mississippi River.
2. On October 21, 1919, the Oregon state legislature passed a law prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or possession of alcoholic beverages, several years prior to the nationwide prohibition in 1920.
3. In 1945, the Portland Beavers baseball team won the Pacific Coast League championship, marking their eighth title in franchise history.
4. On October 21, 1962, the first Nike Missile site in Oregon was activated at Fort Stevens, near Warrenton, in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
5. The Oregon Coast Aquarium, located in Newport, opened its doors on October 21, 1992, showcasing a variety of marine life and becoming a popular tourist attraction on the Pacific coast.