1. In 1908, the first automobile race was held at the Portland Speedway, with a young driver named Barney Oldfield winning the 50-mile race in his Benz automobile.

2. On May 27, 1943, during World War II, a B-17 bomber crashed into Mount Hood while on a training flight, killing all 10 crew members onboard. The wreckage was discovered years later and is now a popular destination for hikers.

3. In 1950, the historic Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood was dedicated by President Harry Truman. The lodge was built during the Great Depression as part of the Works Progress Administration and is now a popular ski resort.

4. On May 27, 1961, the Oregon State Capitol building was officially dedicated in Salem. The building was designed by architect Trowbridge and Livingston and features a distinctive dome made of Oregon mahogany.

5. In 2009, Oregon became the first state in the nation to pass a law allowing for "Death with Dignity" for terminally ill patients. The law allows patients to request and self-administer medication that will end their lives peacefully, with dignity and respect.