1. Oregon Became a Territory on April 12, 1848
On April 12, 1848, President James K. Polk signed the bill creating the Oregon Territory, which included present-day Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and parts of Montana and Wyoming.

2. The First Public Library in Oregon Opened on April 12, 1864
On April 12, 1864, the San Francisco-based Women's Christian Temperance Union opened the first public library in Oregon in Portland.

3. The Oregon Supreme Court Building Opened on April 12, 1914
The Oregon Supreme Court building, located in Salem, officially opened on April 12, 1914. The neoclassical building was designed by architect William C. Knighton and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

4. A Tornado Hit Oregon on April 12, 1972
On April 12, 1972, an F3 tornado struck the city of Vancouver, Washington, just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. The tornado caused extensive damage, but fortunately, there were no fatalities.

5. A Humpback Whale Was Rescued in Oregon on April 12, 2018
On April 12, 2018, a humpback whale became entangled in fishing gear off the coast of Oregon. A team of rescuers from the Oregon Whale Entanglement Team, the Coast Guard, and others worked to free the whale, which survived the ordeal.