1. Kentucky became the 15th state in the US on June 1, 1792, but it was on December 22 of the same year that Kentucky's first governor, Isaac Shelby, was inaugurated. Shelby was a prominent Revolutionary War hero and had previously served as a representative in the Virginia House of Delegates.

2. On December 22, 1842, the St. Charles Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana caught fire during a performance of the popular play "The City of New York". The fire claimed the lives of over 100 people, including several actors who were performing onstage at the time. Many of these performers were from Kentucky, and their tragic deaths sent shockwaves throughout the state's entertainment industry.

3. December 22, 1862 marked the culmination of one of the bloodiest conflicts in Kentucky's history - the Battle of Perryville. Union forces, commanded by General Don Carlos Buell, were able to repel a Confederate invasion force led by General Braxton Bragg. The Union victory effectively ended Confederate hopes of claiming Kentucky as a Confederate state and allowed the Union to continue its war effort.

4. On December 22, 1937, a devastating flood struck the Ohio River Valley, including several communities in Kentucky. The flood was one of the worst natural disasters in US history, with over 400 people losing their lives and hundreds of thousands more losing their homes and possessions. The event remains a defining moment in the history of Kentucky and the region at large.

5. In 1984, the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team faced off against the Indiana Hoosiers in a highly anticipated match-up. Despite putting up a strong fight, the Wildcats ultimately fell to the Hoosiers 79-75, setting the stage for future showdowns between these two iconic college basketball programs. The game remains a memorable moment in Kentucky's sports history, with many fans still debating the outcome over 30 years later.