1. In 1867, gold was discovered in Grasshopper Creek in southwestern Montana, sparking a rush of prospectors to the area. This discovery led to the formation of the town of Bannack, which became Montana's first territorial capital.

2. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act, which aimed to bring electricity to rural areas across the United States. The act had a profound impact on Montana, where many farms and ranches lacked access to electricity.

3. On July 26, 1960, Montana became the 41st state to enact a Fair Employment Practices law, prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, religion, national origin, or color.

4. In 1973, a major earthquake struck the town of Augusta, Montana, causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. The quake, which measured 6.3 on the Richter scale, was the largest ever recorded in the state.

5. On July 26, 1995, a wildfire known as the Mann Gulch fire ignited in the Helena National Forest. Tragically, 13 firefighters lost their lives while battling the blaze, which was caused by a lightning strike. The incident led to significant changes in firefighting safety procedures and equipment.