Nebraska is the home state of lots of famous people and plenty of great Nebraska inventions, but did you know about these other Nebraska firsts attributed to our state? Read on for some fun facts about the things Nebraska did first.

1. The First State Admitted to the Union Over a Presidential Veto
Liamgabby79, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Language in the original state constitution gave the right to vote only to white men. After a "pocket veto" by President Johnson, the Nebraska legislature presented an amended state constitution which stated that it was implied that all men could vote, even if the state hadn't voted on that issue. Johnson vetoed the application, but Congress overrode the veto and Nebraska became a state on March 1, 1867. For more information, visit the Nebraska Legislature's website.
2. Buffalo Bill's First Rodeo
inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Controversy abounds over where the country's very first rodeo was held, but everyone can agree that Buffalo Bill's famous rodeo was one of the things Nebraska did first in North Platte in 1882. Discover more on Buffalo Bill's Center of the West website. This mansion, "Scout's Rest" was Cody's place to stop between tours and is located on the grounds of Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park in North Platte.
3. First State to Complete its Section of the Interstate
Retaildesigner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
I-80, stretching across the entire state from west to east, was completed on Oct. 19, 1974. Nebraska was the first state in the country to finish its stretch of the national mainline Interstate Highway System. This history can be found on Nebraska Transportation's website.
4. First to Celebrate Arbor Day
Arbor Day Foundation
J. Sterling Morton brought Arbor Day to America on April 10, 1872 - a day that saw one million trees planted in the state. Every year since, Arbor Day has been celebrated by the planting of trees in the spring. Visit Arbor Day Foundation’s website for more information.
5. First State with a Unicameral, Nonpartisan Legislature
Capitolist, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The state legislature is composed of one house instead of two like every other state. Then-Senator George Norris observed the unicameral model in action on a trip to Australia in 1931 and brought the idea home. The constitutional amendment was approved in 1934 and took effect with the 1936 election. The Nebraska Legislature’s website offers more information.

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6. First State with a Gubernatorial Election Consisting of Two Female Candidates
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
In the 1986 gubernatorial election, Kay Orr and Helen Boosalis became the first females to run against each other for the seat of governor. Kay Orr won, becoming Nebraska's first (and, to date, only) female governor. Learn more about Gov. Orr on the National Governor's Association website.
7. The Country's First Straw Bale Church
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
Another fun fact about Nebraska is the straw bale church in Arthur, thought to be the first one built in the country - and it is the only one remaining. Other structures - like schools and even houses - were built from hay bales in the first part of the 20th century as well.
8. First to Digitize the Entire Collection of Homestead Records
National Archives at College Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
History buffs rejoiced in 2014 when the state finished digitizing its entire collection of original homestead records. 76,000 homestead files and some 1.6 million images were digitized to preserve the state's rich history of homesteaders. Search the records on the University of Nebraska website.
9. Country's First State to Inaugurate Jewish American Heritage Month
Ammodramus, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
On Israel’s Independence Day, the evening of May 5 through the evening of May 6, 2022, a celebration took place at the Nebraska Capitol Building, when Gov. Pete Ricketts inaugurated May as Jewish American Heritage Month in Nebraska, the first U.S. state to do so. To learn more about this important month visit Jewish American Heritage Month’s website.
10. First State With a Museum Dedicated to a Single-Car Line
Sarah Jane Richards/Google
While this iconic museum is closed, in addition to the fantastic collectibles, Chevyland USA's owner Monte Hollertz put Nebraska on the map for having the first museum dedicated to a single-car line. It opened in Elm Creek in the early 1970s

Did you know about these famous Nebraska firsts? Let us know what you think in the comments! And here are some shocking things that we had no idea happened in Nebraska.

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More to Explore

History In Nebraska

Carolyn Harmon | June 01, 2023

What are the oldest attractions in Nebraska?

Glur's Tavern in Columbus, Nebraska, goes way back in history to about 1876 when it was founded. Named the Bucher's Saloon back then, it was known as a frequent watering hole of Buffalo Bill and his friends. And the best part, structurally it has changed little and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tavern is located at 2301 11th St. in Columbus, Nebraska. For more information about this old pub, visit Glur's Tavern's Facebook page. 

And one of the oldest general stores in Nebraska also has a fascinating history. The Kacirek-Woita General Store was built in Weston in 1894 and impressively withstood the test of time for many years. And eventually, it transformed into storage and a grocery store until the 1970s sadly saw the store close. The good news is that in 2013, people bought the old place and took care in restoring it to its original Victorian architecture and called it Vintage Merchant General Store. You'll find this gem at 250 N. Elm St. in Weston, Nebraska, stocked full of vintage items of all kinds. For more information, visit Vintage Merchant General Store's Facebook page.

What is the oldest town in Nebraska?

We fans of Nebraska’s western history should visit Gordon, Nebraska. The award-winning Tri-State Oldtime Cowboy's Memorial Museum is an award-winning wonder of memorabilia, including photographs, saddles, and actual relics from the era of the old-time cowboys. You'll even find a dentist's chair with pulled-out teeth here. This cool trip back through time is located at 314 N. Oak St. in Gordon. And don't leave without eating at the Covered Wagon Drive-In at 327 N. Main St. This retro fast-food drive-thru is shaped like a covered wagon, offering the best fast food, such as classic burgers, fries, and ice cream. Discover more about this cool eatery on the Covered Wagon Drive-In's Facebook page.

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