Today In History
5 Fun Facts About May 23 In Montana History
1. In 1909, the state of Montana dedicated a monument to the memory of the Lewis and Clark Expedition at Three Forks. The monument was erected on the spot where Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and their party camped on July 27, 1805. It is now a National Historic Landmark. 2....
5 Fun Facts About May 22 In Montana History
1) On May 22, 1960, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.2 struck near Hebgen Lake in southwestern Montana. The quake caused a massive landslide that killed 28 people and created a newly-formed lake, known as Quake Lake. 2) May 22, 1885 is also notable in Montana history as the day...
5 Fun Facts About May 21 In Montana History
1. On May 21, 1881, the infamous outlaw Henry Plummer was hanged in Virginia City, Montana. Plummer was known for leading a gang of road agents who terrorized the mining camps of the area. 2. May 21, 1894 marks the founding of the town of Billings, Montana. Named after Northern...
5 Fun Facts About May 20 In Montana History
1. On May 20, 1873, the famous explorer and geologist Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden arrived in Montana to begin his exploration of Yellowstone National Park. His detailed descriptions and stunning photographs of the park played a crucial role in convincing Congress to establish Yellowstone as the world's first national park. 2....
5 Fun Facts About May 19 In Montana History
1. Birth of Montana's First State Senator: May 19, 1862, marks the birth of Montana's first state senator, James E. Murray, who served from 1893 to 1913. Murray was a member of the Democratic Party and was known for his advocacy for Montana's mining and agricultural interests. 2. Montana's First...
5 Fun Facts About May 18 In Montana History
1. In 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington had a significant impact on Montana. The ash cloud from the eruption reached as far east as Billings and caused disruptions in air traffic and agriculture. 2. On May 18, 1896, mining magnate Augustus Heinze organized the Montana Ore...
5 Fun Facts About May 17 In Montana History
1. On May 17, 1862, the Homestead Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. This led to a significant increase in settlement and homesteading in Montana, as it allowed individuals to claim up to 160 acres of public land for free. 2. May 17, 1876, is known as...
5 Fun Facts About May 16 In Montana History
1. In 1863, the Territory of Montana was officially established. Prior to this, the region had been part of the Dakota, Idaho, and Washington Territories, but its vast size and unique cultural identity led to its designation as its own territory. 2. On May 16, 1888, the first issue of...
5 Fun Facts About May 15 In Montana History
1. On May 15, 1869, the territorial legislature of Montana met for the first time in the city of Helena. Montana had been made a territory of the United States just a few months earlier, in March of that same year. 2. In 1918, the deadliest earthquake in Montana history...
5 Fun Facts About May 14 In Montana History
1. Lewis and Clark Expedition: On May 14, 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition arrived at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers in what is now Montana. This site would become an essential stopover for fur traders and explorers in the decades to come. 2. Statehood: Montana officially...
5 Fun Facts About May 13 In Montana History
1. On May 13, 1864, the legislature of the Montana Territory passed a law that established a board of commissioners to oversee the laying out of towns and cities within the territory. This helped to establish many of the towns and cities that still exist in Montana today. 2. May...
5 Fun Facts About May 12 In Montana History
1. On May 12, 1864, a battle between the United States Army and the Sioux Indian tribe took place near the present-day town of Carter in eastern Montana. Known as the Battle of Killdeer Mountain, it resulted in a decisive victory for the Sioux. 2. The infamous outlaw Henry Plummer...