1. In 1862, the Union Army suffered its worst defeat in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Confederate forces under General George Crittenden attacked on January 19, but Union General George H. Thomas was ready and repelled the attack, forcing the Confederates to retreat. The Union victory sealed Kentucky's fate as a loyal state and helped pave the way for the eventual Union victory in the war.

2. In 1908, legendary pitcher Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown threw his third career no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs in a 6-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Brown, who lost two fingers and part of another in a farm machinery accident as a child, used his unusual grip on the ball to become one of the most fearsome pitchers of his era.

3. In 1936, the first Coca-Cola bottling plant in Kentucky opened in Louisville. The plant was owned by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Louisville and was one of the earliest franchises established by the iconic soft drink company. Today, Coca-Cola is still one of the most popular beverages in the world, with billions of cans and bottles sold every year.

4. In 1954, the first meeting of the Kentucky Civil Rights Commission was held in Frankfort. The commission was established to investigate claims of discrimination and to promote equal rights and opportunities for all Kentuckians, regardless of race, color, or creed. Today, the commission continues to play an important role in promoting civil rights and fighting discrimination in Kentucky.

5. In 2015, a new exhibit dedicated to Kentucky's role in the Civil War opened at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort. The exhibit, titled "A Kentucky Journey," features artifacts, documents, and interactive exhibits that explore the experiences of Kentuckians during the war, including soldiers, civilians, and slaves. The exhibit is a testament to Kentucky's rich and often complicated history during this pivotal era in American history.