1. Homesteaders Rush for Land - On January 16, 1883, a land rush began in western Nebraska, opening up thousands of acres of land for homesteading. The rush began at 9 a.m. and by the end of the day, more than 12,000 people had filed claims for land in the area.

2. Birth of a Pioneer Astronomer - January 16 is also the birthdate of John Brashear, a pioneer in the field of astronomy. Brashear was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania in 1840 and went on to develop new technologies for astronomical photography, including the use of reflecting telescopes.

3. Historic Blizzard Strikes the Plains - On January 16, 1888, a historic blizzard struck much of the Great Plains, including Nebraska. Known as the Great White Hurricane, the storm brought heavy snowfall, high winds, and extreme cold temperatures, causing widespread damage and loss of life.

4. Press Association Founded - The Nebraska Press Association was founded on January 16, 1873, in Omaha. The organization was established to promote the interests of newspapers across the state and to provide a forum for journalists to share ideas and resources.

5. First Woman Governor Elected - In 1987, Kay Orr became the first woman governor elected in Nebraska, taking office on January 16 of that year. Orr served as governor for two terms, from 1987 to 1991, and was known for her work on issues such as education, economic development, and fiscal responsibility.