1. Ohio was formally admitted as the 17th state of the United States on March 1, 1803. However, it was not until May 9 of that year that the formal ceremony marking Ohio's admission was held in the state's first capital, Chillicothe.

2. In 1868, May 9 became known as "Decoration Day" in Ohio, which marked the beginning of Memorial Day observance in the state. On this day, Ohioans would decorate the graves of Union soldiers who had died during the Civil War.

3. On May 9, 1914, the first Mother's Day observance was held in the United States in the city of Grafton, West Virginia. Although the holiday was not officially recognized by the federal government until 1915, Mother's Day quickly gained popularity and was celebrated widely throughout Ohio and the rest of the country.

4. In 1936, Cincinnati native Johnny Vander Meer achieved one of the most impressive feats in baseball history when he pitched consecutive no-hitters for the Cincinnati Reds on June 11 and June 15. However, it was on May 9 of that year that Vander Meer pitched a near-perfect game, throwing a one-hitter against the Boston Bees.

5. In 1973, the Ohio General Assembly voted to make May 9 "Bob Hope Day" in honor of the legendary comedian and actor, who was born in London, England but grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Hope remained a beloved figure in the state throughout his life and often returned to perform at local theaters and events.