1. In 1859, Oregon became the 33rd state to join the Union. Prior to statehood, Oregon had been a territory since 1848. Today, June 18th is celebrated as Statehood Day in Oregon.

2. In 1918, the Oregon State Police was established. It is the oldest law enforcement agency in the state and provides law enforcement services to both rural and urban areas. The agency also manages the state's Amber Alert program and Homeland Security programs.

3. In 1925, the Columbia River Highway was officially opened. The highway was one of the first major paved highways in the Pacific Northwest and is known for its scenic views of the Columbia River Gorge. Today, the highway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

4. In 1971, Salem became the first city in the United States to have its own community television station, called Capital Community Television. The station operates as a public access network, allowing local residents to create and broadcast their own shows.

5. In 2014, the Oregon Ducks baseball team won their first NCAA Division I championship. The team, which was coached by George Horton, defeated the University of Texas in the championship game. The championship was Oregon's first in any sport since the Ducks football team won in 1939.