October 14 is an important day in Mississippi history. Here are 5 interesting facts about this day:

1. In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt visited Gulfport, Mississippi to inspect the damage caused by a hurricane that destroyed much of the city. He promised the people of Gulfport that the federal government would help with reconstruction efforts.

2. In 1947, civil rights activist Medgar Evers, who later became the Mississippi field secretary for the NAACP, registered to vote for the first time in his life.

3. In 1964, the Freedom Democratic Party of Mississippi held a rally in Jackson to protest the all-white delegation being sent to the Democratic National Convention. The rally was attended by over 5,000 people, including Fannie Lou Hamer, who gave a stirring speech about the struggle for civil rights.

4. In 1988, the Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The prison, which opened in 1901, is known for its harsh conditions and use of forced labor.

5. In 2017, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History were opened in Jackson. The two museums, which are located next to each other, tell the story of Mississippi’s history from pre-colonial times to the present day, with a focus on the state’s civil rights struggles.