1. In 1853, the University of Alabama opened its doors for the first time to students. The university had been established in 1831, but construction was halted during the Civil War. Today, the University of Alabama is one of the largest universities in the country with approximately 38,000 students.

2. In 1901, the Alabama State Fair Association was created with the goal of promoting agriculture and industry in the state. The first Alabama State Fair was held in Montgomery in 1908, and since then it has become an annual event that draws thousands of visitors from all over the state.

3. In 1932, Helen Keller was honored with a ticker-tape parade in her hometown of Tuscumbia. Keller, who was both deaf and blind, became an international icon for her advocacy work on behalf of people with disabilities.

4. In 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery city bus to a white passenger. This act of civil disobedience helped spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted for over a year and ultimately led to the desegregation of Montgomery's public transportation system.

5. In 1963, Governor George Wallace delivered his famous "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" speech during his inaugural address. The speech was a staunch defense of Jim Crow segregation, and is now widely regarded as a shameful moment in Alabama's history.