1. In 1867, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln officially opened its doors to students for the first time. It started with just two faculty members and six students, but has since grown into a major institution with over 25,000 students.

2. On October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire broke out, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Although Nebraska was not directly affected by the fire, the tragedy had a significant impact on the state's economy and transportation system, as many of the Midwest's railroads passed through Chicago.

3. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh made a tour stop in Omaha as part of his famous Spirit of St. Louis transatlantic flight. Crowds of up to 50,000 people came out to see the young aviator, who had become an instant celebrity following his solo flight from New York to Paris earlier that year.

4. In 1963, legendary University of Nebraska football coach Bob Devaney earned his first victory with the Cornhuskers, a 14-7 win over Kansas State. Devaney went on to lead Nebraska to two national championships and eight conference titles during his 11-year tenure in Lincoln.

5. On October 8, 2011, the University of Nebraska-Omaha officially became a member of the Division I Summit League in several sports, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball. The move marked a major milestone for UNO athletics, which had previously been a member of Division II.