1. 1833: The First Trading Post was Established
On January 5, 1833, the first trading post in what would eventually become Montana was established by American fur trader, entrepreneur, and member of the Missouri Fur Company, John Jacob Astor. The trading post was located near the confluence of the Bighorn and Yellowstone Rivers in southeastern Montana.

2. 1865: Confederate Prisoners Attempted Escape
On January 5, 1865, Confederate prisoners being held at Fort Benton attempted a daring escape. The prisoners had been captured during the Civil War and were being held at the fort, which was located in north central Montana. The escape attempt failed and several prisoners were killed in the process.

3. 1887: Montana State University Was Founded
On January 5, 1887, Montana State University was founded in Bozeman, Montana. It was initially established as the Montana College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts and was the state's first land-grant college. Today, Montana State University is one of the largest universities in the state, with more than 16,000 students.

4. 1914: The Anaconda Mine Disaster Occurred
On January 5, 1914, one of the deadliest mining disasters in Montana's history occurred in the Anaconda Mine in Butte, Montana. A fire broke out in the mine, killing 168 miners. The disaster led to new safety regulations in the mining industry and increased awareness of the dangers of working in mines.

5. 1938: Montana's First Ski Area Opened
On January 5, 1938, Montana's first ski area, the Great Divide Ski Area, opened near Helena, Montana. The ski area was started by two local businessmen who wanted to create a place where residents could ski without having to travel long distances. Today, Montana is home to several popular ski areas, attracting visitors from around the world.