Today In History
5 Fun Facts About June 4 In Montana History
1. In 1942, the Battle of Midway took place during World War II. This historic battle marked a turning point for the United States in the Pacific theater, and it had a significant impact on Montana as well. The state contributed many soldiers to the war effort, and residents followed...
5 Fun Facts About June 3 In Montana History
1. In 1919, Montana ratified the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote in federal elections. Montana became the 17th state to ratify the amendment. 2. On June 3, 1975, the United States Supreme Court handed down a decision in the case of Montana v. United States. The...
5 Fun Facts About June 2 In Montana History
1. In 1876, Colonel John Gibbon led his troops in a skirmish with the Nez Perce tribe near the Big Hole River. Gibbon’s forces were ultimately successful, but not without significant casualties on both sides. 2. In 1903, the famous “Barns-King shootout” took place in Malta. The incident resulted in...
5 Fun Facts About June 1 In Montana History
1. On June 1, 1899, the first issue of the Anaconda Standard was published in Anaconda, Montana. The newspaper was founded by copper mining magnate Marcus Daly and became one of the most influential publications in Montana history. 2. June 1, 1914, marked the opening of Lake McDonald Lodge in...
5 Fun Facts About May 31 In Montana History
1. In 1871, the town of Helena was incorporated. Originally named "Last Chance Gulch" due to the gold strikes in the area, it was later renamed after the wife of a territorial delegate, Helena Scott. 2. In 1887, a major earthquake struck southwestern Montana, estimated to have a magnitude of...
5 Fun Facts About May 30 In Montana History
1. In 1908, the small town of Helena in Montana became the first city in the world to have a public smoke-free zone. The ban on smoking in public places was enacted to combat tuberculosis, which was a major health crisis at the time. 2. On May 30, 1864, the...
5 Fun Facts About May 29 In Montana History
1. Lewis and Clark Expedition: On May 29, 1805, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out from Camp Dubois in present-day Illinois to begin their journey westward to the Pacific coast. Along the way, they would encounter and document many fascinating aspects of Montana's natural history and Native American...
5 Fun Facts About May 28 In Montana History
1. On May 28, 1959, Montana became the first state to offer free natural gas service to its residents. The program was initiated to provide low-income families with affordable heating options. 2. In 1934, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck near Helena, Montana, causing widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. The...
5 Fun Facts About May 27 In Montana History
1. On May 27, 1935, the Supreme Court of Montana ruled that the state's Blue Sky Law was constitutional. This law was aimed at preventing fraudulent investments and required companies to register their securities with the state. 2. In 1943, on May 27, the Great Falls Tribune reported that Montana...
5 Fun Facts About May 26 In Montana History
1. In 1864, the first permanent settlement in the Bitterroot Valley was established by three men who built cabins along what is now known as the East Fork of the Bitterroot River. They named their settlement Corvallis after the Latin words for "heart of the valley." 2. In 1874, the...
5 Fun Facts About May 25 In Montana History
1. In 1805, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark made their first contact with a group of Salish Indians at a campsite near present-day Lolo, Montana. The Salish were wary at first, but after sharing food and gifts, they established a friendship with the explorers. 2. On May 25, 1910, the...
5 Fun Facts About May 24 In Montana History
1. Montana became a state on May 24, 1889. The state's road towards statehood was a long and difficult one. The territory faced significant resistance from Congress due to its small population and its reputation for being a heavily lawless and violent region. In spite of all these, Montana persevered...