1. On January 12, 1897, the town of Encampment officially incorporated. Located in southern Wyoming, Encampment got its start as a mining camp in the late 1800s. Today, it is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities.

2. Wyoming's first winter carnival was held in Laramie on January 12, 1923. The event included skiing, skating, tobogganing, a parade, and other winter sports and activities. The carnival continued annually until the 1960s, and was revived in 2017.

3. The first woman to serve as a federal judge in the United States was born in Laramie on January 12, 1879. Esther Morris helped to secure women's right to vote in Wyoming in 1869, and later became a justice of the peace. In 1892, she was appointed as a federal judge by President Benjamin Harrison.

4. On January 12, 1926, a massive blizzard struck Wyoming and much of the western United States. Known as the "Great White Hurricane," the storm dumped several feet of snow and caused widespread damage and fatalities. In Wyoming, towns and ranches were buried under snow drifts as high as 20 feet.

5. The Wyoming State Capitol building was completed on January 12, 1890, after several years of construction. The building was designed by renowned architect Charles Bell and features a dome that is visible from miles away. Today, it is one of the most iconic landmarks in Wyoming's capital city of Cheyenne.