1. Wyoming was officially established as a territory on January 6, 1869. Prior to this, it was part of the Dakota, Idaho, and Utah territories. The establishment of Wyoming as a territory was significant both because it recognized the distinct nature of the region and because it was one of the first territories to grant women the right to vote.

2. On January 6, 1891, Wyoming became the 44th state to join the Union. The state’s name comes from the Native American word meaning “at the big river flat,” referring to the wide, open plains that dominate much of the state.

3. In 1915, January 6 was marked by the opening of the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort in south-central Wyoming. The resort offered visitors a chance to soak in the area’s famous natural hot springs, which were said to have healing properties.

4. On January 6, 1936, a severe winter storm struck Wyoming, leading to the loss of 17 lives and causing significant damage to property and infrastructure. The storm, known as the “Great Blizzard of 1936,” was one of the worst in state history and served as a stark reminder of the harsh winter conditions that can affect Wyoming residents.

5. One of the most famous events in Wyoming history occurred on January 6, 1905, when the state’s former governor, Francis E. Warren, engaged in a gunfight with his son-in-law, John C. Pershing. The dispute arose over Warren’s decision to remarry following the death of his first wife, Pershing’s sister. While both men survived the confrontation, it added a dramatic and unexpected chapter to Wyoming’s political history.