1. On July 12, 1867, gold was discovered in the Alder Gulch area, leading to the Montana gold rush. This sparked a surge of settlement and industrial activity in the region, helping to establish Montana's reputation as a key player in the mining industry.

2. On July 12, 1944, the United States Army Air Forces conducted a bombing raid on the Japanese-held island of Chichi Jima in the Pacific Ocean. The mission resulted in the rescue of future U.S. president George H.W. Bush, who had been shot down during an earlier bombing run.

3. On July 12, 1902, the Northern Pacific Railroad completed construction of its transcontinental line across Montana, connecting Seattle with the East Coast. This gave Montana farmers and ranchers access to new markets and helped to grow the state's economy.

4. On July 12, 1915, a forest fire broke out near the town of Haugan, Montana, burning thousands of acres of land and destroying several buildings. The fire was eventually brought under control by a team of firefighters, but not before causing significant damage to the local community.

5. On July 12, 1995, a massive earthquake rocked the state of Montana, registering a magnitude of 5.6 on the Richter scale. The quake caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, but fortunately resulted in no fatalities or serious injuries.