1. In 1932, Kentucky's first state park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, was dedicated. This park features the Natural Bridge, a sandstone rock formation that is 78 feet long and 65 feet high.

2. On April 26, 1865, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place, North Carolina, effectively ending the Civil War in the east. Many Kentucky soldiers fought on both sides during the war, and the state was deeply divided by the conflict.

3. In 1929, a devastating tornado struck the town of Maysville, Kentucky, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds more. The town was rebuilt, and today it is known for its historic downtown district and picturesque Ohio River views.

4. On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl disaster occurred in the Soviet Union, causing a nuclear reactor to explode and releasing radioactive material into the environment. Although this event did not directly affect Kentucky, it became a worldwide symbol of the dangers of nuclear power.

5. Kentucky's own Muhammad Ali was born on January 17, 1942, but he famously won his first professional boxing match on April 26, 1960, against Tunney Hunsaker in Louisville. Ali went on to become one of the greatest boxers of all time, winning numerous world titles and earning respect for his outspoken activism and humanitarian work.