1. On January 4, 1896, Butte, Montana experienced the coldest temperature ever recorded in the state at -61 degrees Fahrenheit. This frigid temperature remains the coldest temperature ever recorded in the contiguous United States.

2. On January 4, 1969, the first successful heart transplant in Montana was performed at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. The patient, a 46-year-old man, survived for 23 days after the surgery.

3. January 4, 1940 marked the opening of the Great Falls Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. The base was a critical component of the United States military’s Cold War strategy and played a significant role in the country’s nuclear deterrent capabilities.

4. On January 4, 1911, Montana became the first state in the nation to allow women to vote in statewide elections. This landmark decision was a major milestone in the women’s suffrage movement and helped pave the way for increased gender equality across the country.

5. January 4, 1985, saw the start of the Montana Wilderness Association’s annual Wilderness Walks program. Since its inception, the program has grown significantly and now offers dozens of guided hikes each year in some of Montana’s most beautiful and picturesque wilderness areas.