Here are 5 interesting facts about January 5 in Oregon history:

1. In 1859, the Oregon Constitutional Convention convened in Salem for the first time. The convention was tasked with preparing a constitution for the proposed state of Oregon, which would ultimately be admitted to the Union later that year.

2. In 1885, the Portland City Council approved a plan to build a street railway system. The system would eventually grow to become one of the largest and most extensive in the world, with lines running throughout the city and connecting it to nearby towns.

3. In 1903, the Oregon State Board of Health was created to oversee public health in the state. Among its early initiatives was a campaign to reduce the spread of tuberculosis, which was a major health threat at the time.

4. In 1933, Oregon Governor Julius Meier signed a bill legalizing the sale of beer with up to 3.2% alcohol content. The law went into effect on April 7 of that year, making Oregon among the first states to end prohibition.

5. In 1979, a freak snowstorm struck the Willamette Valley, dumping up to 18 inches of snow in some areas. The storm caused widespread power outages and disrupted transportation throughout the region, but it also provided plenty of opportunities for snowmen and sledding.