1. In 1896, the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus was the site of the first-ever electrocution in the state, with the execution of convicted murderer William Haas.

2. On January 7, 1949, the Ohio State University varsity men’s basketball team suffered a tragic plane crash while returning from a game against Iowa. The crash claimed the lives of eight players and a team trainer, and is still remembered as one of the worst tragedies in college sports history.

3. In 1975, Ohio Governor John J. Gilligan signed a law that made Ohio the first state to offer workers’ compensation benefits to people who suffered from job-related mental health issues.

4. January 7, 2018 marked the 203rd anniversary of the historic Battle of Frenchtown, which took place in present-day Monroe County, Michigan but involved Ohio militia and other soldiers. The battle was a crucial early victory for American forces during the War of 1812.

5. On January 7, 1954, Cleveland inventor George Keller unveiled the first-ever “magic eye” television set, which allowed viewers to adjust the picture by merely looking at a light on the television. The innovation was ahead of its time and ultimately failed to catch on, but paved the way for future advancements in television technology.