1. Alabama became a state on April 1, 1819, making it the 22nd state to join the United States. The state was carved out of the Mississippi Territory and its name comes from the Choctaw word "albaamo," which means "thicket-clearers" or "vegetation gatherers."

2. In 1937, the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots who served during World War II, were activated on April 1 as part of the 99th Pursuit Squadron. They later went on to become one of the most respected groups of pilots in the U.S. military.

3. On April 1, 1982, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that "home rule" cities, or cities that have their own charters and can pass their own laws, could ban alcohol sales within city limits. This led to several small towns in the state enacting strict alcohol laws, including some that banned the sale of alcohol entirely.

4. In 2003, April 1 was declared "Ronald Reagan Day" in the state of Alabama to honor the former president's contributions to the country. Reagan was a popular figure in the state, and his conservative policies and leadership style were admired by many Alabamians.

5. On April 1, 2017, a new law took effect in Alabama that required all drivers to stay in the right lane unless they were passing another vehicle. The law was enacted to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents on the state's highways. However, the law was not popular with all drivers, and some complained that it was difficult to enforce.