1. In 1858, gold was discovered in Montana, leading to a major gold rush boom. Many miners flocked to the area hoping to strike it rich, and the state's mining industry played a significant role in its development.

2. On October 25, 1919, Montana State University had its first homecoming celebration. The event included a parade, football game, and other festivities that have become a tradition on college campuses throughout the United States.

3. The infamous Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, lived in a remote cabin in Montana for several years before being arrested in 1996. His terrorist activities had been the subject of a nationwide manhunt for nearly 20 years.

4. Montana was home to some of the most famous cowboys and cattle drives in the Wild West era. One such cowhand was Ray Hatfield, who became known as "The Montana Kid" and worked for some of the biggest cattle outfits in the state.

5. Montana is home to several Native American tribes, including the Crow, Blackfeet, and Northern Cheyenne. October 25, 1851, marks the signing of the Treaty of Fort Laramie, which established the boundaries of these tribes' territories and sought to prevent conflict between them and settlers moving westward.