1. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition encountered the Shoshone tribe in what is now Montana on April 26. The tribe provided the expedition with horses needed for their journey westward.

2. On April 26, 1865, the Civil War officially ended for Montana as word of Robert E. Lee’s surrender reached the territory.

3. In 1883, the Northern Pacific Railway connected Montana to the rest of the country with a line through Helena. This development greatly increased transportation and commerce in the region.

4. The deadliest earthquake in Montana history occurred on April 26, 1929, near Helena. The quake measured 7.2 on the Richter scale and caused significant damage and loss of life.

5. April 26 is also Arbor Day in Montana, a holiday dedicated to planting trees and promoting their importance in the state’s ecosystems and economy. Montana has a diverse range of tree species, including the popular ponderosa pine and Douglas fir.