1. On December 18, 1867, Nebraska became the 37th U.S. state, after Congress passed the enabling act to create the state's constitution, paving the way for statehood.

2. In 1956, the world's largest porch swing, measuring 23 feet in length, was dedicated at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Clay Center, Nebraska. It could hold up to 18 people and remains a local attraction to this day.

3. On December 18, 1928, the first surrey ride began service in Lincoln, Nebraska. The horse-drawn carriages became a popular mode of transport for tourists and locals, with several companies still offering them today.

4. In 1990, the Omaha World-Herald announced it would be one of the first newspapers in the country to offer its content online, launching its website on December 18 of that year.

5. The Nebraska Department of Roads was established on December 18, 1917, to oversee the state's transportation infrastructure. It later became the Nebraska Department of Transportation and is responsible for maintaining the state's highways, bridges, and other transportation-related projects.