1. Nebraska became a state on May 8, 1867, becoming the 37th state in the Union. This day is celebrated as Nebraska Statehood Day and is a state holiday.

2. In 1905, the city of Omaha held its first Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 8. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 and is celebrated widely in the United States.

3. On May 8, 1945, Victory in Europe (VE) Day was celebrated in Nebraska and across the country. This marked the end of World War II in Europe and the surrender of Nazi Germany.

4. In 1966, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhusker football team held its annual Red/White Spring Game on May 8. The Red team won 20-0.

5. On May 8, 1986, Nebraska's HuskerVision scoreboard was unveiled at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The video board was state-of-the-art at the time and revolutionized the fan experience at Husker football games.