1. The first Minnesota State Fair was held on August 11, 1859, at a small fairground in St. Paul. The fair has since grown to become one of the largest in the country, attracting over 2 million visitors annually.

2. On August 11, 1929, the iconic Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis was opened to vehicular traffic. The bridge, which spans the Mississippi River, is now a popular pedestrian and cyclist path.

3. A F5 tornado struck the town of Chandler, Minnesota on August 11, 1968, causing extensive damage and killing nine people. The tornado remains one of the deadliest in state history.

4. On August 11, 1971, the Minnesota Twins played a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers in which both games were no-hit by the Twins' pitchers. This remains the only time in modern baseball history that a team has accomplished such a feat.

5. The University of Minnesota's Morris campus opened its doors on August 11, 1960, becoming the state's first public liberal arts college. Today, the school is known for its strong focus on sustainability and renewable energy.