1. Kentucky became a state. On December 12, 1792, Kentucky officially became the 15th state admitted to the Union. Before this, it had been part of Virginia.

2. The first Kentucky Derby was held. On December 12, 1875, the first Kentucky Derby took place at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The race was won by a horse named Aristides.

3. The first state capitol building burned down. On December 12, 1813, the first state capitol building in Frankfort was destroyed by fire. The current capitol building was constructed in the early 1900s.

4. The Battle of Bean's Station occurred. On December 12, 1863, the Battle of Bean's Station took place during the Civil War. Union forces commanded by General James M. Shackelford engaged Confederate troops led by General James Longstreet.

5. Ken Caminiti was born. On December 12, 1963, Ken Caminiti was born in Hanford, California. Caminiti played third base for the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, and Texas Rangers, and was the National League MVP in 1996. He died in 2004 at the age of 41.