1. Nebraska was admitted as the 37th state on October 20, 1867. President Andrew Johnson signed the proclamation officially granting statehood to Nebraska.

2. On October 20, 1934, Charles T. Hagert became the first person to fly a plane over the north pole. He was a pilot for American Airlines and performed the feat in a Douglas DC-2.

3. In 1918, the deadliest train accident in Nebraska's history occurred on October 20. A train carrying soldiers from Camp Funston in Kansas to San Francisco derailed near Kimball, Nebraska, killing over 100 people.

4. Nebraska's first public school was established in Omaha on October 20, 1856. It was called the Omaha School District and was overseen by a board of trustees made up of prominent citizens.

5. Husker football legend Johnny Rodgers had one of his most memorable games on October 20, 1973. In a win over Oklahoma, he had a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown and caught six passes for 133 yards and two more touchdowns.