1. The Great Hinckley Fire: On September 12, 1894, one of Minnesota's deadliest disasters, the Great Hinckley Fire, occurred. The fire was caused by a combination of drought, high winds, and logging practices, and it destroyed the town of Hinckley and several other nearby communities, killing over 400 people.

2. Statehood: Minnesota was admitted to the Union on May 11, 1858, but it wasn't until September 12 of that year that the first state election was held. Henry Hastings Sibley, who had previously served as Minnesota's first territorial governor, was elected as the state's first governor.

3. The End of Jesse James: On September 7, 1876, Jesse James and his gang robbed the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota. On the morning of September 12, a group of citizens led by the town's postmaster, armed with rifles, pursued the gang and killed two of its members. The failed robbery was a turning point in James' criminal career and led to his eventual death.

4. A New Capitol: On September 12, 1905, ground was broken for the construction of Minnesota's current state Capitol building. The building, designed by Cass Gilbert, is a landmark of the city of St. Paul and serves as the seat of Minnesota's government.

5. The Great Minnesota State Fair: The Minnesota State Fair, one of the largest and most popular state fairs in the country, typically runs from late August through Labor Day. September 12 falls in the middle of the fair's run, providing fairgoers with many attractions, concerts, and food options to enjoy. The fair has been an annual tradition in Minnesota since 1859, and has only been canceled a few times in its history, including during World War II.