1. On March 10, 1880, the Montana legislature approved the creation of Missoula County. The county was named after the Salish word for "place of the flat willows." Today, Missoula County is home to over 110,000 residents and includes the city of Missoula, the University of Montana, and vast expanses of wilderness.

2. In 1910, a massive avalanche occurred in the Gallatin Canyon near Bozeman, Montana, killing 28 people. The snowslide was one of the deadliest in American history and was caused by a heavy snowstorm that hit the area. The avalanche prompted new safety measures, including the installation of avalanche warning systems and the training of avalanche forecasters.

3. On March 10, 1924, the Anaconda Copper Mining Company signed a contract with the Amalgamated Association of Miners, ending a long-standing labor dispute. The agreement provided better wages, improved working conditions, and a pension plan for the miners. The Anaconda Copper Mining Company was one of the state's largest employers and had a significant impact on the development of Montana's economy.

4. In 1945, the University of Montana Grizzlies won their first-ever NCAA basketball tournament game, defeating the University of Kansas by a score of 54-52. The game was played in Kansas City, Missouri, and was a major upset, as the Grizzlies were heavy underdogs. The victory helped put the Grizzlies on the map as a powerhouse in collegiate basketball.

5. In 1991, Montana became the first state in the country to pass legislation providing protections for the Yellowstone bison population. The law prohibited the hunting of bison within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park and established a management plan to ensure the long-term health and survival of the herds. The Yellowstone bison are some of the most iconic and beloved animals in the United States, and Montana's efforts to protect them have been widely praised.