1. In 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition entered what is now Nebraska on December 3rd. The explorers traveled along the Missouri River, taking note of the region's flora and fauna.

2. On December 3, 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed the idea of Arbor Day at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. The proposal was adopted and Nebraska became the first state to officially celebrate Arbor Day, on April 10, 1874.

3. Nebraska officially became a state on March 1, 1867, but it was not until December 3 of that year that the first governor, David Butler, was inaugurated.

4. On December 3, 1921, the first radio station in Nebraska, KDKA, began broadcasting in Omaha. The station later became WOW Radio, and is now part of the news and talk radio network, Newsradio 1110 KFAB.

5. The College World Series, a championship baseball tournament featuring the top eight college teams, has been held in Omaha, Nebraska since 1950. The series typically begins in late May or early June, but the championship game is often played on or around December 3rd. One of the most memorable championship games took place on December 3, 1955, when Wake Forest defeated Western Michigan 7-6 in extra innings.