1. Statehood Day: August 1, 1858, was the day that Minnesota officially became the 32nd state in the Union. It is now celebrated as Statehood Day in Minnesota.

2. The start of the Minnesota State Fair: In 1872, the first ever Minnesota State Fair opened its gates on August 1 in Minneapolis. Since then, the annual event has become a beloved tradition in Minnesota and is one of the largest state fairs in the country.

3. The debut of the Minnesota Vikings: On August 1, 1960, the Minnesota Vikings played their first ever preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Cotton Bowl in Texas. Although they lost 24-21, it was the beginning of a long and storied history for the Vikings.

4. The I-35W Bridge collapse: On August 1, 2007, the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed during rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring 145 others. The tragedy led to increased scrutiny and investment in infrastructure and bridge safety nationwide.

5. The anniversary of the new Minneapolis police chief taking office: On August 1, 2019, Medaria Arradondo was officially sworn in as the new Minneapolis police chief. He replaced Janeé Harteau, who resigned in the aftermath of the shooting of Justine Damond by a Minneapolis police officer. Arradondo, who had been serving as interim chief since Harteau's resignation, became the first African American police chief in Minneapolis history.