1. May 1, 1867: Nebraska officially becomes a state. On May 1, 1867, President Andrew Johnson signed the proclamation admitting Nebraska as the 37th state of the United States. The state's capital was initially Omaha but was later moved to Lincoln.

2. May 1, 1887: The first Arbor Day is celebrated in Nebraska. Arbor Day was founded by J. Sterling Morton, a Nebraska journalist, and politician who believed that the state's barren landscape could benefit from planting trees. The day was first observed in Nebraska on April 10, 1872, but was later changed to the last Friday in April. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in many countries around the world.

3. May 1, 1898: The Spanish-American War begins. The Spanish-American War was fought between the United States and Spain in 1898, primarily over the issue of Cuban independence. Nebraska soldiers were among those who served in the war, including the Nebraska National Guard.

4. May 1, 1935: The Rural Electrification Administration is established. The Rural Electrification Administration (REA) was created in 1935 to bring electricity to rural areas of the United States. Nebraska was one of the first states to benefit from the REA, which brought electricity to many rural communities.

5. May 1, 1940: Nebraska's first air mail flight takes off. On May 1, 1940, Nebraska's first air mail flight took off from Lincoln Municipal Airport. The flight was the first of many that would carry mail and passengers across the state and beyond. Today, Nebraska is home to several major airports, including Eppley Airfield in Omaha and Lincoln Airport.