1. On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate Army to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War. This event had a significant impact on Montana history because it marked the beginning of the Reconstruction Era, during which the federal government sought to rebuild the South and ensure civil rights for newly emancipated slaves.

2. On April 9, 1878, the landmark case of Ex parte Garland was decided by the United States Supreme Court. The case involved a former Confederate judge who sought to be admitted to practice law before the federal courts. The Court ruled that individuals who had served the Confederacy during the Civil War could still practice law in federal courts, despite their former allegiances. This decision reflected the growing reconciliation between the North and South in the years following the Civil War.

3. April 9, 1884, saw the founding of the city of Bozeman, Montana. Located in the Gallatin Valley, Bozeman became an important center of commerce and transportation in Montana, particularly for the agricultural and livestock industries. Today, it is home to Montana State University and has a population of approximately 50,000 people.

4. In 1903, the Montana State Legislature established the Montana State Library on April 9th. The library was created to provide information resources and services to the residents of Montana, particularly those in remote and underserved areas. Today, the Montana State Library has a collection of over one million items and offers a variety of online resources and services.

5. On April 9, 1959, the Montana Highway Commission approved plans to construct the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. The road, which spans 50 miles and crosses the Continental Divide, is considered one of the most scenic drives in the United States. It was completed in 1932 and designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1985. Today, the road is a major tourist attraction and a vital transportation link in Glacier National Park.