1. On July 6, 1881, the first train arrived in Minneapolis via the Northern Pacific Railway, connecting the city to the Great Lakes and the Pacific Northwest. This greatly expanded the city's transportation network and allowed for increased economic growth.

2. In 1893, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts opened its doors to the public on July 6. The museum features over 90,000 works of art from around the world and is considered one of the top cultural attractions in the state.

3. On July 6, 1917, the Minnesota National Guard was mobilized for service in World War I. Over 118,000 Minnesotans served in the war, with over 1,400 losing their lives in combat.

4. In 1957, the first section of the Interstate Highway System was opened in Minnesota on July 6. This section of I-94 traveled from Minneapolis to St. Cloud and paved the way for the modern highway system that greatly expanded travel and commerce throughout the state.

5. On July 6, 1990, the Twin Cities area was hit by a massive hailstorm that caused over $150 million in damage. The hailstones were reported to be the size of softballs and caused widespread destruction to cars, homes, and businesses.