1. On September 25, 1809, Meriwether Lewis, one of the famous explorers of the westward expansion of the United States, died inexplicably on a road near Natchez, Mississippi. While the cause of death is still debated, some believe it was suicide, while others suggest he was murdered.

2. September 25, 1861 saw the Battle of Iuka, a Civil War battle in which Confederate forces under General Sterling Price attacked Union forces under General William Rosecrans. Despite being outnumbered, the Confederate forces managed to hold their ground.

3. In 1955, on September 25th, the first African American student, Clyde Kennard, applied for admission to Mississippi Southern College, now known as the University of Southern Mississippi. Kennard was ultimately denied due to his race, but his efforts paved the way for future desegregation of the university.

4. On September 25, 1973, Mississippi native and musician Jimmie Rodgers was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Known as the "Father of Country Music," Rodgers had a significant impact on the genre with his unique yodeling style and songwriting.

5. September 25, 2008 saw the dedication of the Gateway to Freedom Monument in Natchez, Mississippi. The monument honors the contributions of African Americans to the development of the United States and the Underground Railroad, which helped slaves find their way to freedom.