1. In 1859, the first Kentucky State Fair was held in Louisville. The fair showcased the state's agriculture and industry, and featured horse races and other entertainment.

2. On October 8, 1862, Union forces under General William "Bull" Nelson defeated Confederate forces at the Battle of Perryville in Boyle County. The battle was one of the bloodiest fought in Kentucky during the Civil War.

3. In 1918, the deadliest epidemic in U.S. history, the Spanish flu, arrived in Louisville. The city would ultimately suffer more than 2,500 deaths from the disease.

4. On October 8, 2003, Kentucky lost its longest-serving senator, Wendell H. Ford, who died at the age of 79. Ford was known for his work on agricultural and transportation issues, and was also a strong advocate for healthcare reform.

5. In 2012, the University of Kentucky men's basketball team played a "Blue-White Scrimmage" at Rupp Arena. The scrimmage was a preview of the upcoming season, in which the Wildcats would go on to win the NCAA championship.