1. The Oregon Constitution was adopted on September 13, 1857, becoming the state's fundamental law. It established Oregon as a free state and abolished slavery.
2. The Tillamook Burn, a catastrophic wildfire, began on September 13, 1933, and burned more than 350,000 acres of forest over a period of several years. It led to the creation of the Tillamook State Forest and new forestry practices that helped prevent future wildfires.
3. On September 13, 1970, the Oregon Vortex, a mysterious area where the laws of physics seem to be distorted, opened to the public as a tourist attraction. Visitors can experience strange optical illusions and phenomena that defy explanation.
4. The historic Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood opened on September 13, 1937. It was built as part of the Works Progress Administration program during the Great Depression and has become a popular destination for skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
5. The first Oregon Shakespeare Festival opened on September 13, 1935, in Ashland. It has since become one of the largest and most respected regional theaters in the country, attracting thousands of visitors each year to its productions of classic and contemporary plays.