1. On July 16, 1941, the Mount Washington Cog Railway set a record for the fastest ascent of the mountain. The trip took just 57 minutes and 45 seconds, thanks to a steam engine named "The Hero."

2. Three years later, on July 16, 1944, New Hampshire Governor Charles M. Dale signed a bill establishing the University of New Hampshire as a state university. Originally an agricultural college, UNH has grown into a comprehensive research university with campuses in Durham, Manchester, and Concord.

3. July 16, 1964, was a dark day in New Hampshire history. That evening, a massive thunderstorm hit the northeastern United States, causing widespread damage and flooding. In the small town of Bristol, a flash flood swept through Main Street, destroying many buildings and damaging others.

4. On July 16, 1984, the world-famous White Mountain National Forest celebrated its 75th birthday. This 800,000-acre preserve is one of the most popular destinations in New Hampshire for hiking, camping, skiing, and other outdoor activities.

5. Finally, on July 16, 2010, the state of New Hampshire announced plans to study the feasibility of building a high-speed rail line connecting Boston and Montreal. The proposed line would run through Concord and Manchester, and could potentially reduce travel time between the two cities to just 3 hours.