1. On January 21, 1785, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the United States Constitution. The state's ratification helped to ensure the adoption of the new governing document and the formation of the federal government as we know it today.

2. In 1844, the New Hampshire Historical Society was founded in Concord, the state's capital. The society serves as a repository for historical artifacts and documents related to New Hampshire history, and it also sponsors events and educational programs for the public.

3. On January 21, 1915, the municipal museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire was established. Known today as the Portsmouth Historical Society, the museum features exhibits and programming focused on the city's rich maritime history, including its role as a major port during the colonial era.

4. In 1945, New Hampshire Governor Charles M. Dale proclaimed January 21 as "Amelia Earhart Day" in honor of the pioneering aviator who disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in 1937. Earhart had visited New Hampshire several times during her career, and the state sought to recognize her contributions to aviation and women's rights.

5. On January 21, 1988, New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice William Batchelder became the first African American to serve as chief justice of a state supreme court. Batchelder had been appointed to the court in 1981 and served as chief justice until his retirement in 1990, paving the way for greater diversity in the state's legal system.