1. On December 4, 1862, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest led a surprise attack on the Union garrison at Lexington, Mississippi. Despite being outnumbered, Forrest's troops were able to rout the Union soldiers and capture the town.

2. In 1875, the Mississippi State Capitol building in Jackson was destroyed by a fire on December 4th. The nearly-completed building was designed by architect William Nichols and was considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the country. It was eventually rebuilt and still serves as the seat of Mississippi's government today.

3. On December 4, 1906, Mississippi became the first state in the US to conduct a direct gubernatorial election. Prior to this, governors were typically chosen by the state legislature. James K. Vardaman won the election and served as governor until 1912.

4. In 1955, civil rights activist Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus to a white passenger on December 4th. This event sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and became one of the most significant moments in the civil rights movement.

5. On December 4, 1991, the Mississippi Gulf Coast was hit by Hurricane Juan. The storm caused significant damage, including extensive flooding and power outages. In the aftermath of the storm, Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard to assist with recovery efforts.