1. In 1864, the first state fair was held in Minnesota. The fair was originally held in Rochester, but in 1885, the location was moved to the current location in St. Paul.

2. In 1916, the U.S. Army purchased land near Brainerd, Minnesota to establish Camp Ripley, a military training facility. Today, Camp Ripley is the largest military training center in the Midwest.

3. In 1919, the world's first aerial forest fire lookout tower was established in Minnesota's Itasca State Park. The tower was built after a devastating fire swept through the park in 1910.

4. In 1949, the first official commemoration of Flag Day was held in Minnesota. Flag Day celebrates the adoption of the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777. In Minnesota, the day is celebrated with parades, speeches, and flag-raising ceremonies.

5. In 1969, the first McDonald's restaurant opened in Minnesota. The restaurant was located in Bloomington and was the second McDonald's franchise to open outside of California. Today, there are over 200 McDonald's restaurants in Minnesota.