1. On February 8, 1857, Minnesota's first constitution was adopted. This document established the state government and set the framework for Minnesota's legal system.

2. The Great Blizzard of 1899 hit Minnesota on February 8, bringing heavy snow and strong winds to the state. The storm caused widespread damage and disrupted transportation and communication for several weeks.

3. The James J. Hill House, one of Minnesota's most famous landmarks, was completed on February 8, 1891. The grand mansion was built by railroad magnate James J. Hill and is now open to the public as a museum.

4. February 8, 1924, marked the birth of famed Minnesota author and conservationist Sigurd Olson. Olson's writings and activism helped to protect the wilderness areas of northern Minnesota, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

5. On February 8, 1984, the Winter Olympics were held in Minnesota for the first time. The city of Lake Placid had hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932, but the 1984 games were the first to be held in Minnesota. The event drew thousands of athletes and spectators to the state and helped to boost the local economy.