1) On December 19, 1816, Kentucky became the 15th state to join the Union after a vote by the U.S. Congress. The state was originally part of the Virginia Territory and was named after the Native American word "Ken-tah-ten," meaning "land of tomorrow."

2) Kentucky was known for its key role in the Civil War, and on December 19, 1861, Confederate general William "Bull" Nelson was shot and killed by Union general Jefferson C. Davis in a dispute in Louisville. This incident became known as the "Beefsteak Raid."

3) The Kentucky Derby, one of the most famous horse races in the world, has been held on the first Saturday in May every year since 1875. However, on December 19, 1932, the race was held in June due to a federal ban on horse racing that was lifted later that year.

4) On December 19, 1979, the Kentucky State Capitol building in Frankfort was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Beaux-Arts style building, which was completed in 1910, features a dome and a rotunda featuring murals depicting the state's history.

5) The University of Kentucky is a major institution in the state, and on December 19, 1927, the Wildcats basketball team played their first game at the new Memorial Coliseum. The team defeated the Ole Miss Rebels 35-21 in front of a crowd of 4,000 fans. The Coliseum was later replaced by Rupp Arena in 1976.