1. On August 6, 1962, James Howard Meredith became the first African American to attend the University of Mississippi, after a federal court ordered the university to desegregate. The event was met with violent protests and resulted in President Kennedy ordering federal troops to ensure Meredith's enrollment.

2. On August 6, 1923, civil rights activist and Mississippi native Fannie Lou Hamer was born. Hamer played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement and is known for her powerful speeches and advocacy for voting rights.

3. August 6, 1945, marks the day that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. Mississippi experienced a surge in agricultural production during the war to support the war effort.

4. On August 6, 1996, the Mississippi Flag Commission voted to keep the Confederate flag as part of the state flag. This decision was met with controversy and protests from civil rights organizations and activists.

5. In 1990, Mississippi celebrated the first annual "Cool Desert Nights" festival on August 6. The event includes a car show and live music and has become a popular tradition in the state.