1. In 1963, Governor George Wallace gave his infamous "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" speech in Montgomery, Alabama on January 12th. This speech signaled his intention to resist federal desegregation efforts in the state.

2. On January 12, 1901, the first successful oil well in Alabama was drilled in Choctaw County. The discovery of oil brought significant economic development to the area and led to the formation of the Gulf Oil Corporation.

3. In 2015, the Alabama Crimson Tide football team won their fourth national championship in seven years on January 12th, defeating the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.

4. The first official Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Alabama was observed on January 12, 1987. The holiday had been signed into law by President Ronald Reagan the previous year, but it took several years for all states to officially recognize the day.

5. On January 12, 1818, Alabama became the 22nd state in the United States. The state legislature had approved a state constitution the previous August, and a special committee of congress approved the admission of Alabama to the Union.