1. On October 20, 1873, Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames declared martial law in the state in response to the rise of the White League, a white supremacist group that sought to overthrow the Reconstruction-era government and re-establish white supremacy. This led to a period of violence and intimidation against African Americans, particularly during the gubernatorial election of 1875.

2. Civil rights activist Medgar Evers was born in Decatur, Mississippi on October 20, 1925. Evers was instrumental in advancing the cause of civil rights in Mississippi, serving as the state's first field secretary for the NAACP and working to register African American voters. He was assassinated outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi in 1963.

3. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center opened in Biloxi on October 20, 1977. The complex has hosted a wide variety of events over the years, from concerts and sporting events to conventions and trade shows.

4. On October 20, 2007, Mississippi State defeated the University of Tennessee 34-3 in football, marking the Bulldogs' first win over the Volunteers in 16 years. Mississippi State quarterback Wesley Carroll threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns in the upset victory.

5. The Oxford Film Festival was founded on October 20, 2003. The annual festival showcases independent films from around the world, with a particular focus on films made in Mississippi and the Southern United States. The festival has grown in popularity over the years, drawing thousands of attendees to Oxford each year.