1. On October 2, 1864, the Battle of Rosedale took place near the Powder River in southeastern Montana. This battle was part of the Powder River Expedition led by Colonel Patrick Connor, in which U.S. troops sought to confront Native American tribes and force them onto reservations. The battle, which lasted several hours, resulted in a victory for the U.S. troops.

2. In 1889, Montana State University (then known as Montana State College) opened its doors for the first time on October 2. The university, located in Bozeman, has since grown into a major educational institution with a diverse and dynamic student body.

3. On October 2, 1906, the Montana State Board of Health passed a regulation requiring the reporting of all cases of tuberculosis in the state. This was part of a broader effort to contain the spread of the disease, which was a significant public health threat at the time.

4. In 1935, the state of Montana established what is now known as the Montana Highway Patrol on October 2. This law enforcement agency is responsible for enforcing traffic laws throughout the state, as well as providing assistance to other law enforcement agencies as needed.

5. On October 2, 1979, the Anaconda Copper Company ceased operations at its smelter in Anaconda, Montana. The smelter had been a major employer in the area for many years, but had come under increasing scrutiny due to environmental concerns about the emissions from the operation. The closure of the smelter had a significant impact on the local economy, but also resulted in improvements to the air and water quality in the area.