1. In 1893, Jefferson County, Alabama was established. This county is the largest in the state by population and is home to the city of Birmingham, a major economic and cultural center.

2. In 1942, the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots who trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field, were activated for combat during World War II. These pilots provided vital support to the U.S. military and helped pave the way for greater racial equality in the armed forces.

3. In 1961, the first African American student was admitted to the University of Alabama. Autherine Lucy had initially been admitted in 1956, but was later expelled due to protests from white students. Her eventual admission marked an important milestone in the struggle for desegregation in higher education.

4. In 1977, the first Iron Bowl game was played at Legion Field in Birmingham. This annual football game between the University of Alabama and Auburn University is one of the fiercest rivalries in college sports and is a major event in Alabama each year.

5. In 2018, Doug Jones was sworn in as the first Democratic senator from Alabama in 25 years. Jones achieved an upset victory in a special election, defeating Republican candidate Roy Moore in a tight race. His win was seen as a major upset and a sign of shifting political trends in the state.