1. On March 3, 1792, Kentucky became the 15th state to join the United States. At the time, it was the first new state to be admitted to the Union since Vermont in 1791.

2. The Battle of Pound Gap took place on March 3, 1862 during the American Civil War. Confederate forces under General Humphrey Marshall attacked Union forces in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, but were repelled after a day-long battle. The Union victory helped to secure control of the region for the rest of the war.

3. Kentucky celebrated its Centennial Exposition in Louisville on March 3, 1876. The exposition highlighted the state's accomplishments over the past century and featured exhibits on agriculture, industry, and the arts.

4. On March 3, 1936, a tornado struck Louisville, killing 21 people and causing widespread damage. The tornado was part of a larger outbreak that swept across the Midwest, killing more than 300 people in total.

5. The Kentucky Derby Festival officially began on March 3, 1956. The festival is a two-week celebration leading up to the famous Kentucky Derby horse race, and includes events such as the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show, a hot-air balloon race, and the Pegasus Parade.