1. On May 8th, 1846, John Bozeman, a famous frontiersman and founder of Bozeman, Montana, was born in Pickens County, Alabama. Bozeman played a significant role in the expansion of the American West, particularly in Montana, where he established the Bozeman Trail.

2. In 1864, May 8th marked the beginning of the Battle of Snake Creek, also known as the Connor Fight. The battle was fought between U.S. soldiers under the command of General Patrick Edward Connor and native tribes, including the Shoshone and Bannock. The conflict resulted in significant casualties on both sides and is considered a pivotal moment in Montana's history.

3. May 8th, 1884, was the day in which an earthquake, now known as the Hebgen Lake earthquake, occurred in Montana. The quake, which registered as a 7.3 on the Richter scale, caused significant damage to buildings and resulted in the loss of 28 lives.

4. In 1932, May 8th marked the establishment of Yellowstone National Park's West Entrance as an official entry point. The park is one of Montana's most popular tourist attractions and spans three states, covering over 2.2 million acres.

5. May 8th, 2006, marked the day in which Montana Democratic Governor, Brian Schweitzer, signed a bill into law abolishing the use of the death penalty in the state. Montana was the 17th U.S. state to abolish capital punishment, and the move was widely praised by human rights organizations.