1. In 1862, the Battle of Perryville was fought in Kentucky during the American Civil War. Mississippi played a significant role in the conflict, with many of its soldiers fighting on both sides.

2. On October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire began, destroying much of the city over the course of three days. Mississippi was among the many states that sent aid and supplies to help the victims and rebuild the city.

3. In 1957, the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) was the site of a major civil rights battle as riots erupted following the enrollment of its first African American student, James Meredith. The state and federal governments ultimately intervened, with the National Guard accompanying Meredith to his classes.

4. On October 8, 1986, the United States Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, which established mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses and significantly increased funding for drug enforcement efforts. Mississippi has since implemented its own drug laws, with varying degrees of severity for different types and amounts of drugs.

5. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast, causing widespread destruction and killing over 200 people in the state. Mississippians rallied together in the aftermath to rebuild their communities and continue on with their lives, with many residents receiving assistance from both the government and private organizations.