1. On December 30, 1862, the Union Army won the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, near Vicksburg, Mississippi, during the American Civil War. Although the battle was a victory, it was costly for the Union, with over 1,700 casualties.

2. In 1903, the first successful flight of the Wright brothers' airplane took place in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Although the event didn't take place in Pennsylvania, the Wright brothers spent a lot of time testing and flying their planes in the state, including at a field in Montgomery County.

3. On December 30, 1945, a massive train wreck occurred in the town of Kelayres, Pennsylvania. Over 25 people were killed and dozens more were injured when a steam locomotive crashed into the rear of a passenger train.

4. In 1974, the Pennsylvania State University football team won the Cotton Bowl, defeating Baylor University 41-20. The victory was significant, as it marked the first time a team from Pennsylvania had won a major postseason bowl game.

5. On December 30, 1990, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their AFC wildcard playoff game against the Houston Oilers in one of the most memorable comebacks in NFL history. The Steelers were down 24-7 at halftime but went on to win the game 27-24 in overtime, sparking a run to the AFC Championship game.