1. In 1917, the first pulp mill in Idaho opened in Priest River. The mill produced paper and pulp from Western Hemlock logs and contributed to the growth of the logging industry in the state.

2. On May 29, 1945, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred in the Challis area, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. It remains one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in Idaho.

3. In 1958, the first nuclear reactor in Idaho went online at the National Reactor Testing Station (now called the Idaho National Laboratory). The facility continues to be a major research and testing center for nuclear energy.

4. On May 29, 1982, the “Empire Builder” train made its first trip through Sandpoint, Idaho, on its way from Chicago to Seattle. The train still runs through the state and is a popular way for tourists to see the Pacific Northwest.

5. In 2000, Idaho became the first state to allow residents to vote in primary elections using the internet. The program, called “NetVote,” was hailed as a major step forward in online voting technology.