1. In 1818, the Alabama Territory was established by an act of Congress. This marked a significant step in the process of Alabama becoming a state, which would eventually happen on December 14, 1819.
2. On May 5, 1864, the Battle of the Wilderness began in Virginia during the Civil War. Although this battle did not take place in Alabama, it had a significant impact on the state, as many Alabama soldiers fought in the conflict.
3. In 1955, the Alabama State Legislature passed a resolution honoring the legacy of George Washington Carver, who was born into slavery in Missouri and went on to become a renowned scientist and educator. Carver is often remembered for his work on agricultural innovation, including the development of new uses for peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops.
4. On May 5, 1961, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American to travel into space. This historic event marked a major achievement in the U.S. space program, which had been focused on catching up to the Soviet Union's successes in space exploration.
5. In 2017, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill that made the state one of the strictest in the country for abortion access. The bill, which prohibits abortions in almost all circumstances, has faced legal challenges and sparked nationwide controversy.