1. Kentucky's first governor was inaugurated on September 8, 1792. Isaac Shelby became the first governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky on this date, after serving as one of the state's first senators. Shelby is remembered as a hero of the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

2. The Kentucky State Fair has its roots in the Louisville Agricultural and Mechanical Association, which was organized on September 8, 1836. The first fair was held in 1838 and has since become an annual tradition.

3. On September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford pardoned former President Richard Nixon for any crimes he may have committed while in office. The pardon was controversial, and many Americans disagreed with Ford's decision.

4. Kentucky native Muhammad Ali became the first fighter to win the heavyweight boxing championship three times on September 8, 1978. He defeated Leon Spinks in a rematch of their February fight.

5. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival, one of the state's biggest annual events, began on September 8, 1992. The festival celebrates the history and culture of Kentucky's bourbon industry and attracts visitors from around the world.