1. On January 3, 1821, Mississippi was officially admitted as the 20th state of the United States. The state was named after the Mississippi River, which serves as its western border, and comes from the Ojibwe word for "great river."

2. In 1861, Mississippi became the second state to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy, leading to its involvement in the American Civil War. The war had a devastating impact on the state, with much of its infrastructure and economy left in ruins.

3. On January 3, 1908, a massive fire broke out in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, destroying much of the town's central business district. Despite the efforts of over 500 firefighters from surrounding towns, the fire raged for over 12 hours and caused several million dollars in damages.

4. Mississippi played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s, with several iconic events taking place throughout the state's history. On January 3, 1963, civil rights activist Medgar Evers was the victim of a targeted assassination outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi. His death brought national attention to the struggle for civil rights in the state.

5. In more recent years, January 3 has been recognized as the official date of the Mississippi Blues Trail, which is dedicated to celebrating the state's rich musical heritage. The trail features over 200 markers placed throughout the state, highlighting notable blues musicians and the places where they lived, worked, and performed.