November 8, 2022 – Montana

Not only is today Election Day, but it’s also the day Montana became our 41st state in 1889! Montana is the 4th largest state and the largest landlocked state. Many indigenous peoples lived in present-day Montana for thousands of years, and the area was largely unexplored by outsiders until the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805. Gold was first found in the state more than 50 years later, which caused a huge boom in the state, as settlers flocked to the state in search of their own fortune. In 1888, the now-capital of Helena had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world! Montana also has a rich military history. The state sent a greater percentage of its population to fight in World War I and World War II than any other state. During WWI, around 10% of the population was drafted or volunteered for service. Many Montanans signed up for the military just before WWII to escape poverty after the Great Depression. 57,000 served in the war. Among them were many Native Americans, including soldiers from the Crow Nation who became Code Talkers. Learn more here.