1. 1869: Wyoming Territory officially created
On December 15, 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill creating the Wyoming Territory. At the time, Wyoming was mostly uninhabited by white settlers, but the passage of the Homestead Act in 1862 had spurred increased interest in western territories like Wyoming.

2. 1890: Wyoming becomes a state
On December 15, 1890, Wyoming officially became the 44th state in the United States. The path to statehood was a long one, as many eastern politicians were skeptical of granting statehood to a rugged and sparsely populated territory like Wyoming.

3. 1917: The Cheyenne Messenger is published for the first time
On December 15, 1917, the first issue of The Cheyenne Messenger was published. The newspaper served the black community in Cheyenne, Wyoming and provided a voice for African Americans in a state that was then largely segregated.

4. 1936: First-ever ski jumping competition held in Wyoming
On December 15, 1936, the first ski jumping competition was held in Wyoming, in the town of Jackson. The event attracted skiers from around the country and set the stage for a thriving skiing and winter sports industry in the state.

5. 1971: First-ever state lottery tickets go on sale in Wyoming
On December 15, 1971, the first-ever state lottery tickets went on sale in Wyoming. The lottery was seen as a way to raise money for the state's struggling education system, and it quickly became popular with residents. Today, the Wyoming Lottery remains a popular pastime for many people in the state.