1. In 1819, the United States Congress established the territory of Nebraska, encompassing parts of present-day Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. The territory lasted until 1867, when Nebraska became the 37th state in the Union.

2. On February 22, 1861, the first issue of the Nebraska Advertiser was published in Brownville, Nebraska. The newspaper went on to become one of the most influential publications in the state, covering such topics as politics, business, and culture.

3. In 1935, the Nebraska Legislature passed a bill making it illegal to manufacture or sell margarine colored yellow to imitate butter. The law remained on the books until 1967, when it was finally repealed.

4. On February 22, 1972, a blizzard hit Nebraska, causing widespread power outages and leaving thousands of people stranded. Schools, businesses, and government offices were closed for days, and emergency services struggled to keep up with the demand.

5. In 1980, the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team won their first national championship, defeating the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. The team was led by head coach Tom Osborne and quarterback Jeff Quinn, and finished the season with a record of 12-0.