1. In 1917, the Minnesota State Fair broke attendance records with over 200,000 people coming to the fairgrounds on September 4 alone. The fair was held in St. Paul and featured attractions such as horse racing, agricultural exhibits, and carnival rides.

2. On September 4, 1978, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome opened in downtown Minneapolis as the new home of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. The unique, inflatable dome stadium was the first of its kind in the United States and could seat over 60,000 fans for football and baseball games.

3. In 1839, Minnesota's first sawmill was built on the banks of the St. Croix River near present-day Stillwater. The mill was owned by entrepreneur David Hone and helped to jumpstart the state's logging industry, which would become a major economic engine for the region.

4. On September 4, 1902, the University of Minnesota's new campus in Minneapolis officially opened its doors to students. The campus had been relocated from its original location in Morris and was designed by prominent architect Cass Gilbert, who also designed the state capitol building.

5. In 1862, the Battle of Birch Coulee took place in southwestern Minnesota during the U.S.-Dakota War. A group of over 100 settlers and soldiers were ambushed by a larger force of Dakota warriors and had to endure a two-day siege before being rescued by reinforcements. The battle was one of the bloodiest of the conflict, with over 30 casualties on both sides.