1. In 1877, a swarm of locusts descended upon Minneapolis, causing widespread destruction and devastation to crops and farmland throughout the region. The infestation lasted for several years, leading to food shortages and economic hardship.

2. On July 5, 1946, a massive tornado struck the town of Hinckley, Minnesota, killing more than 400 people and causing widespread damage and destruction throughout the area.

3. In 1984, the city of St. Paul hosted a major celebration to mark the completion of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission's Great River Road project, which stretches from the river's source in Minnesota all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico.

4. On this day in 1861, Minnesota officially became the 32nd state in the United States of America, after being admitted to the Union during the height of the American Civil War.

5. July 5, 2009, saw the inauguration of Target Field, the home of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Located in downtown Minneapolis, the stadium boasts a retractable roof and state-of-the-art facilities, and has served as a major sporting and cultural hub for the city ever since.