1. In 1927, a blizzard struck Nebraska on December 30, leading to widespread damage and loss of life. Dubbed the "Schoolhouse Blizzard," the storm caught many off guard, including schoolchildren who were trapped in their one-room schoolhouses.

2. On December 30, 1854, the first territorial legislature of Nebraska convened in Omaha. The legislature would go on to create the framework for the state government that would be established when Nebraska achieved statehood.

3. In 1903, Nebraska became the first state to pass a law mandating the use of seat belts in automobiles. This early effort at promoting automobile safety would eventually be adopted by every state in the nation.

4. December 30, 1967 marked the opening of the first section of Interstate 80 in Nebraska. This iconic highway would go on to play a major role in Nebraska's economy and transportation infrastructure.

5. On December 30, 1978, a United Airlines DC-8 crashed shortly after takeoff from Stapleton International Airport in Denver, killing all 44 people on board, including several Nebraskans. The crash remains one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Nebraska history.