1. On March 31, 1855, the Minnesota Territorial Legislature established the University of Minnesota, making it the first institution of higher education in the state. Today, the university is one of the largest and most respected public research universities in the country.

2. On March 31, 1881, the great American writer and naturalist John Muir arrived in Minnesota, where he spent several months exploring the state's north woods and writing about its natural wonders. Muir's writings and advocacy helped to inspire the conservation movement and the creation of national parks.

3. On March 31, 1905, the Great Northern Railway opened its new station in St. Paul, designed by the renowned architect Cass Gilbert. The station, which featured a striking neoclassical facade and a grand concourse, served as a major transportation hub for the region until it was closed in the 1970s.

4. On March 31, 1927, the city of Minneapolis inaugurated its new Main Public Library, an imposing five-story Beaux-Arts building that still stands today. The library houses more than 2 million volumes and is one of the largest public libraries in the Midwest.

5. On March 31, 1985, the Minnesota Twins played their first game in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, a unique domed stadium that would serve as the team's home for more than two decades. The Metrodome was also used for football games, concerts, and other events, and was infamous for its "roof collapse" during a snowstorm in 2010.