1. In 1793, Kentucky became the first state to recognize the rights of married women to own and inherit property, thanks to a landmark court case won by a widow named Elizabeth Litton.

2. On January 21, 1861, the Kentucky General Assembly voted to remain neutral in the looming conflict between the North and South, a move that reflected the divided loyalties of the state's residents and government officials.

3. In 1937, a devastating flood swept through Kentucky's Ohio River Valley, causing widespread damage and claiming hundreds of lives. The disaster spurred the federal government to establish the Tennessee Valley Authority, which eventually helped to control flooding in the region.

4. On January 21, 1958, a deadly fire broke out at Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago, killing 92 children and three nuns. The tragedy prompted Kentucky and other states to enact stricter fire safety codes for schools.

5. In 2009, an ice storm hit Kentucky causing power outages and widespread damage. The disaster resulted in one of the largest power restorations in U.S. history and prompted discussions about the vulnerability of the country's electrical grid to extreme weather events.