1. On December 31, 1862, Confederate General Earl Van Dorn arrived in Holly Springs, Mississippi, hoping to mount a surprise attack on Union forces stationed there. However, his plans were foiled when Union troops caught wind of his presence and attacked the town instead, destroying a vast amount of Confederate supplies and forcing Van Dorn to retreat.

2. In 1879, the first soap opera in the United States, The White Pearl, debuted on radio station WPAQ in Tupelo, Mississippi. The show was hugely popular and continued to air until the 1940s.

3. On December 31, 1924, legendary blues musician Sonny Boy Williamson was born in Madison County, Mississippi. He went on to become a hugely influential figure in the blues world, known for his distinctive harmonica playing and expressive vocals.

4. In 2009, a massive New Year's Eve party was held in downtown Jackson, Mississippi, to celebrate the end of the year and ring in the new one. The event, which featured live music, food vendors, and a fireworks display, was attended by thousands of people from all over the state.

5. On December 31, 2018, newly elected Governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves, officially took office. Reeves, a Republican, had previously served as the Lieutenant Governor of the state and was elected in November 2019, defeating Democratic opponent Jim Hood.