1. On August 19, 1857, the first steamboat arrived in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The boat, named the "Minnesota," was built in Pittsburgh and traveled up the Mississippi River to deliver goods and passengers.

2. August 19, 1903, marks the birth of one of Minnesota's most prominent political figures, Hubert H. Humphrey. Humphrey served as the mayor of Minneapolis, a United States Senator, and Vice President of the United States under Lyndon B. Johnson.

3. The Minnesota State Fair, one of the largest state fairs in the country, opened on August 19, 1904. The fair now attracts over two million visitors each year and is known for its unique foods and agricultural exhibits.

4. On August 19, 1935, the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team was officially formed. The team went on to win multiple national championships before eventually moving to Los Angeles in 1960.

5. August 19, 1978, marks the dedication of the Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Memorial in St. Paul. The memorial honors the 1,075 Minnesotans who lost their lives in the Vietnam War and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served.