1. On October 12, 1858, Minnesota became the 32nd state to be admitted to the United States. The state's entrance into the Union marked the end of a long and turbulent process that began with the creation of the Minnesota Territory in 1849.

2. On October 12, 1984, the Minnesota Twins won their first World Series championship. The Twins defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games, with pitcher Frank Viola named as the Series' Most Valuable Player.

3. October 12, 1918, marked the beginning of the deadly Spanish flu pandemic in Minnesota. The outbreak quickly spread across the state, with thousands of people falling ill and many dying from the disease.

4. On October 12, 1909, University of Minnesota football player Paul Giel was born in Winona, Minnesota. Giel went on to become a two-sport star at the university, playing football and baseball before playing several seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

5. October 12, 2002, saw the opening of the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. The museum and research center features exhibits and collections that showcase the state's rich history and cultural heritage.