1. In 1864, the first permanent settlement in the Bitterroot Valley was established by three men who built cabins along what is now known as the East Fork of the Bitterroot River. They named their settlement Corvallis after the Latin words for "heart of the valley."

2. In 1874, the town of Helena was struck by a devastating fire that destroyed nearly 30 blocks of the city. The fire started in a Chinese laundry and quickly spread to other buildings, fueled by high winds. Over 400 buildings were destroyed and around 3,000 people were left homeless.

3. In 1910, the Glacier National Park Company was formed to develop tourism in Glacier National Park. The company built lodges, roads, and trails throughout the park, making it more accessible to visitors. The park became a popular destination for tourists and remains so to this day.

4. In 1942, the Anaconda Copper Mining Company delivered the first shipment of copper to the US government for use in the war effort. The company was one of the largest producers of copper in the world at the time and played a vital role in the war effort by providing the metal for electrical wiring and other applications.

5. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed a bill creating the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, which covers over 900,000 acres in Montana and Wyoming. The wilderness area includes some of the highest peaks in the continental US and is known for its rugged beauty and wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and mountain goats.