1. In 1838, the Cherokee Nation was forcibly removed from their land in Alabama and forced to walk the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). Thousands of Cherokee died during the journey.

2. In 1864, Union General William T. Sherman began his march from Atlanta to the sea. The campaign was designed to destroy Confederate infrastructure and morale, and it effectively ended the Civil War in the Union's favor.

3. In 1927, Birmingham resident Harriet DeWitt Braddock became the first female state senator in Alabama. She served in the position until 1935.

4. In 1950, Alabama native and baseball legend Hank Aaron signed his first professional contract with the Negro League's Indianapolis Clowns. He later played 21 seasons in the Major Leagues, setting numerous records and earning induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

5. In 2018, Alabama-based company Intuitive Research and Technology was awarded a $7 million contract from the United States Army for research and development of advanced missile defense systems. The contract was part of the Army's effort to modernize its missile defense capabilities.