1. In 1874, the wooden steamboat Edith sank in the Missouri River near Fort Benton after being caught in a blizzard. The boat was carrying valuable furs and other goods, leading to a significant financial loss.

2. In 1902, the Montana State Capitol building in Helena was completed after eight years of construction. The building's distinctive copper dome is a proud symbol of the state's history and heritage.

3. On March 24, 1937, the deadliest school disaster in U.S. history occurred in New London, Texas. Montana Governor Roy E. Ayers issued a state-wide order that all schools close their doors and hold a moment of silence in honor of the victims.

4. In 1953, a group of inmates attempted to escape from the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge. The escape failed, and several prisoners were injured or killed during the violent riot that ensued.

5. On March 24, 1994, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Helena, causing minor property damage but no injuries. The quake was felt across much of western Montana and drew attention to the state's history of seismic activity.