1. On May 8, 1884, the Northern Pacific Railroad completed construction of their line to Bismarck, North Dakota, which helped to link Minnesota to the West Coast and facilitated trade and transportation between the two regions.

2. In 1915, Minnesota became the first state to establish a workers' compensation system, which provided benefits to employees who were injured on the job. This landmark legislation set an important precedent for workplace safety and labor rights.

3. On May 8, 1926, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport opened for business, becoming the first airport in Minnesota to offer commercial flights. Over the years, the airport has expanded and modernized to become a major hub for air travel in the region.

4. In 1970, the infamous Kent State shootings occurred on May 4, but the tragedy had ripple effects in Minnesota as well. On May 8, thousands of students at the University of Minnesota held a demonstration to protest the shootings and demand an end to the Vietnam War.

5. May 8, 2018, marked the opening of the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, which replaced the aging Metrodome as the home of the Minnesota Vikings football team. The stadium, which cost over $1 billion to build, boasts state-of-the-art technology and design features that make it one of the most impressive sporting venues in the country.