1. Montana became a state: December 5, 1889, holds special significance in Montana as it marks the day Montana entered the Union as the 41st state. The road to statehood involved decades of territorial governance, the struggles of Montana settlers, and debates about the future of Montana among lawmakers.

2. Montana's first governor: Montana's first governor, Joseph Toole, was inaugurated on December 5, 1889. Born in Missouri in 1851, Toole had moved to Helena ten years before Montana became a state and had become a prominent Democratic Party leader in the territory.

3. The Anaconda Copper Company: December 5, 1895, marked the founding of the Anaconda Copper Company, which would become one of the largest mining and processing companies in the world. The company's founder, Marcus Daly, had come to Butte, Montana, to mine for silver, but he soon saw the potential of the copper deposits in the region.

4. Montana's 13th governor: On December 5, 1949, Montana inaugurated its 13th governor, John W. Bonner. Bonner served as governor from 1949 to 1953 and was known for his conservative approach to governing, including his support for small government and a balanced budget.

5. The Unabomber's capture: December 5, 1995, marked the day Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, was arrested at his remote cabin near Lincoln, Montana. Kaczynski had spent 17 years living off the grid and had sent bombs to targets across the country, killing three people and injuring 23 others. His capture was the result of a lengthy investigation by the FBI and a tip from his brother.