1. In 1857, the Minnesota Territorial Legislature selected Saint Peter as the site for a new state hospital for the mentally ill. The hospital, known as the Saint Peter Regional Treatment Center, would become one of the largest employers in the area and remain in operation for over 150 years.

2. On March 5, 1862, the Battle of Pea Ridge was fought in Arkansas during the Civil War. Minnesota troops played a key role in the Union victory, and many soldiers returned home as heroes.

3. In 1872, the Minnesota State Capitol building was opened to the public. The structure, designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in Saint Paul.

4. On March 5, 1934, Minnesota native Henry Fonda made his Broadway debut in the play "New Faces of 1934." Fonda would go on to become one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, appearing in classic films such as "The Grapes of Wrath" and "12 Angry Men."

5. In 2013, the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 53-51 in a thrilling Big Ten conference game. The victory helped Minnesota secure a spot in the NCAA tournament, where they would advance to the second round before losing to Florida.