1. The State Capitol building in Cheyenne was dedicated on August 16, 1890. The building, which features a dome made of copper mined from nearby towns, became the home of Wyoming's government just several months after the territory was admitted as a state.

2. On August 16, 1985, the worst flood in Wyoming's recorded history began. A combination of heavy rain and a dam failure caused the North Platte River to overflow its banks, leading to widespread damage and several deaths. The flood was a major disaster for the state, and many communities have worked to prepare for similar events in the future.

3. The famous artist Jackson Pollock was born in Cody, Wyoming, on August 16, 1912. Although he spent most of his life in New York City, Pollock's time in Wyoming is said to have influenced his unique style of abstract expressionism.

4. August 16, 1867, marked the opening of Fort D.A. Russell, a military installation near modern-day Laramie. The fort was originally constructed to protect railroad workers and travelers from Native American attacks, but it later played a role in the Indian Wars and in World War II.

5. Finally, August 16 is celebrated in Wyoming as "Statehood Day", in honor of the day on which Wyoming officially became the 44th state in the United States. On August 16, 1890, President Benjamin Harrison signed the bill that admitted Wyoming to the Union, and the state has celebrated the occasion ever since.