1. On June 17, 1882, the Twin Cities Rapid Transit Company began operating their horse-drawn streetcars on the streets of Minneapolis. This marked a major milestone in transportation for the city as it allowed for quicker and more efficient travel around town.

2. In 1929, a massive tornado swept through the southeast part of Minnesota, hitting the small town of Wells the hardest. The tornado was over a mile wide and was responsible for over 40 people losing their lives. It still stands as one of the deadliest tornadoes in Minnesota's history.

3. On June 17, 1949, the Minnesota Twins baseball team played their first game at Met Stadium in Bloomington. The team played against the Kansas City Athletics and won 5-3.

4. In 1951, the University of Minnesota completed construction of a new building called the Union Building, which served as the central hub for student activities on campus. Today, the building is known as the Coffman Memorial Union and remains an important part of the university community.

5. On June 17, 1997, the Red River of the North in northwestern Minnesota rose to its highest level in over 100 years, causing extensive flooding and damage to homes and businesses in the area. The flooding was so severe that it prompted President Bill Clinton to declare the region a disaster area.