1. In 1862, the US-Dakota War began on July 12, when four young Dakota men killed five white settlers near Acton Township. This conflict lasted six weeks, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Native Americans and settlers.

2. On July 12, 1906, Minnesota's first automobile deaths occurred. A horseless carriage collided with a streetcar in downtown Minneapolis, killing two passengers and injuring the driver.

3. In 1932, the iconic Foshay Tower in Minneapolis was completed on July 12. At 447 feet, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River and a symbol of the city's prosperity during the Great Depression.

4. On July 12, 1945, Vice President Harry S. Truman visited Saint Paul and delivered a speech at the Minnesota State Capitol. Just a few months later, he would become the 33rd President of the United States.

5. July 12, 2007, marked the opening day of the new I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. This structure replaced the old bridge that collapsed the year before, killing 13 people and injuring 145. The new bridge was designed with safety in mind and features state-of-the-art technology.