1. In 1864, the Battle of Red Buttes took place on August 8 between the US Army and the Lakota Sioux. The Lakota were seeking retaliation for their chief Conquering Bear, who had been mistakenly killed by the Army. Although the Lakota initially had the upper hand, they were eventually defeated by the Army's superior firepower.

2. On August 8, 1870, the first train arrived in the town of Bozeman, Montana, marking a significant milestone in the development of the state's transportation infrastructure. The arrival of the railroad allowed for faster and easier transport of goods and people throughout Montana and helped to fuel the state's economy in subsequent years.

3. In 1904, the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition opened in Portland, Oregon, featuring a special exhibit on the state of Montana. The exhibit showcased the natural resources and beauty of the state, and helped to promote Montana as a destination for tourism and investment.

4. On August 8, 1918, a massive forest fire broke out in the Bitterroot Mountains of western Montana, which eventually spread to cover over 1,500 square miles and destroyed several small towns. The fire was one of the largest in Montana's history and led to significant changes in the state's forestry practices.

5. On August 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon announced his resignation in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Although not directly related to Montana, this event had a significant impact on the political landscape of the country and marked the end of a tumultuous period in American history.