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Timeline of Montana history

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{{main|History of Montana}}

This timeline is a chronology of significant events in the history of the U.S. State of Montana and the historical area now occupied by the state.

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2020s

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align=center rowspan=1|2024align=center|November 5The 2024 General Election will be held on November 5, 2024.
align=center rowspan=1|2022align=center|November 8In the 2022 general election, Montana voters elect Ryan Zinke as the U.S. representative for the new 1st congressional district and U.S. representative at-large Matt Rosendale for the new 2nd Congressional District. Republicans retain control of the Montana Legislature.{{cite web |title=Montana elections, 2022|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Montana_elections,_2022|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=August 20, 2024}}
align=center rowspan=2|2020align=center|November 3In the 2020 General Election, Montana voters elect three presidential electors for Donald Trump, re-elect Steve Daines as junior U.S. Senator, elect Matt Rosendale as U.S. representative at-large, and elect Greg Gianforte as Governor. Republicans retain control of the Montana Legislature.{{cite web |title=Montana elections, 2020|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Montana_elections,_2020|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=August 20, 2024}}
align=center|April 1The 2020 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 1,084,225, an increase of 9.58% since the 2010 United States census. Montana remains the 44th most populous of the 50 U.S. states, but will gain a second Congressional seat.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2020/dec/2020-apportionment-data.html|title=2020 Census Apportionment Results|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 26, 2021|access-date=August 20, 2024}}

2010s

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align=center rowspan=2|2019align=center|December 2Governor Steve Bullock announces the end of his campaign for President of the United States.
align=center|January 7Governor Steve Bullock announces his candidacy for President of the United States.
align=center rowspan=3|2018align=center|December 15Ryan Zinke resigns as United States Secretary of the Interior following congressional investigations.
align=center|November 6In the 2018 General Election, Montana voters re-elect Jon Tester as senior U.S. Senator and elect Greg Gianforte as U.S. representative at-large. Republicans retain control of the Montana Legislature.{{cite web |title=Montana elections, 2018|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Montana_elections,_2018|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=August 20, 2024}}
align=center|October 18At a political rally in Missoula, U.S. President Donald Trump congratulates Congressman Greg Gianforte for his assault of reporter Ben Jacobs.
align=center rowspan=3|2017align=center|May 25In the special congressional replacement election, Montana voters elect Greg Gianforte U.S. representative at-large.
align=center|May 24Congressional candidate Greg Gianforte assaults reporter Ben Jacobs.
align=center|March 1U.S. representative at-large Ryan Zinke is confirmed and assumes office as United States Secretary of the Interior.
align=center rowspan=1|2016align=center|November 8In the 2016 general election, Montana voters elect three presidential electors for Donald Trump, re-elect Ryan Zinke as U.S. representative at-large, and re-elect Steve Bullock as Governor. Republicans retain control of the Montana Legislature.{{cite web |title=Montana elections, 2016|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Montana_elections,_2016|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=August 20, 2024}}
align=center rowspan=1|2015align=center|January 3Steve Daines assumes office as the junior United States senator for the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|2014align=center|November 4In the 2014 General Election, Montana voters elect Steve Daines as junior U.S. Senator and elect Ryan Zinke as U.S. representative at-large. Republicans retain control of the Montana Legislature.{{cite web |title=Montana elections, 2014|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Montana_elections,_2014|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=August 20, 2024}}
align=center rowspan=1|2013align=center|January 7Steve Bullock assumes office as the 24th governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|2012align=center|November 6In the 2012 general election, Montana voters elect three presidential electors for Mitt Romney, re-elect Jon Tester as senior U.S. Senator, elect Steve Daines as U.S. representative at-large, and elect Steve Bullock as governor. Republicans retain control of the Montana Legislature.{{cite web |title=Montana elections, 2012|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Montana_elections,_2012|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=August 20, 2024}}
align=center rowspan=2|2010align=center|November 2In the 2010 general election, Montana voters re-elect Denny Rehberg as U.S. representative at-large. Republicans retain control of the Montana Senate and regain control of the Montana House of Representatives.{{cite web |title=Montana elections, 2010|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Montana_elections,_2010|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=August 20, 2024}}
align=center|April 1The 2010 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 989,415, an increase of 9.7% since the 2000 United States census. Montana remains the 44th most populous of the 50 U.S. states.

2000s

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align=center rowspan=1|2009align=center|March 30U.S. President Barack Obama signs An Act to designate certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes, creating the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail and the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail.
align=center rowspan=1|2007align=center|January 3Jon Tester assumes office as the junior United States senator for the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|2005align=center|January 3Brian Schweitzer assumes office as the 23rd Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=2|2001align=center|January 17U.S. President Bill Clinton issues an executive orders creating Pompeys Pillar National Monument and Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/archeology/sites/antiquities/monumentslist.htm|title=Antiquities Act|publisher=National Park Service|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 16, 2020}}
align=center|January 1Judy Martz assumes office as the 22nd Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|2000align=center|April 1The 2000 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 902,195, an increase of 12.9% since the 1990 United States census. Montana remains the 44th most populous of the 50 U.S. states.

1990s

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align=center rowspan=1|1995align=center|December 9The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park as a World Heritage Site.
align=center rowspan=1|1993align=center|January 4Marc Racicot assumes office as the 21st Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1992align=center|October 30U.S. President George H. W. Bush signs An Act to amend the Act of May 15, 1965, authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to designate the Nez Perce National Historical Park in the State of Idaho, and for other purposes. The Nez Perce National Historical Park now includes the Big Hole National Battlefield and the Bear Paw Battlefield in Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1991align=center|December 10U.S. President George H. W. Bush signs An Act of Congress changing the name of the Custer Battlefield National Monument to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.
align=center rowspan=1|1990align=center|April 1The 1990 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 786,690, an increase of 1.6% since the 1980 United States census. Montana remains the 44th most populous of the 50 U.S. states, but will lose its 2nd Congressional District.

1980s

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align=center rowspan=1|1989align=center|January 2Stan Stephens assumes office as the 20th Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1986align=center|October 6U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs An Act to amend the National Trails System Act by designating the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) Trail as a component of the National Trails System, creating the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.
align=center rowspan=1|1981align=center|January 5Ted Schwinden assumes office as the 19th Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1980align=center|April 1The 1980 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 786,690, an increase of 13.3% since the 1970 United States census. Montana becomes the 44th most populous of the 50 U.S. states.

1970s

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align=center rowspan=2|1978align=center|November 10U.S. President Jimmy Carter signs the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 authorizing the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
align=center|October 9The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates Yellowstone National Park as one of the first 12 World Heritage Sites.
align=center rowspan=1|1976align=center|July 4The State of Montana celebrates the Bicentennial of the United States of America.
align=center rowspan=1|1973align=center|January 1Thomas Lee Judge assumes office as the 18th Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1972align=center|August 25U.S. President Richard Nixon signs An Act to authorize the establishment of the Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in the State of Montana, and for other purposes.
align=center rowspan=1|1970align=center|April 1The 1970 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 694,409, an increase of 2.9% since the 1960 United States census. Montana becomes the 43rd most populous of the 50 U.S. states.

1960s

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align=center rowspan=1|1969align=center|January 6Forrest H. Anderson assumes office as the 17th Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1968align=center|December 2U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs An Act to establish a national trails system, and for other purposes, creating the National Trails System.
align=center rowspan=2|1966align=center|October 15U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs An Act to provide for the establishment of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, and for other purposes.
align=center|June 20The National Park Service establishes Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.
align=center rowspan=1|1965align=center|July 1The State of Montana changes the name of the Agricultural College of the State of Montana to Montana State University.
align=center rowspan=1|1963align=center|May 17U.S. President John F. Kennedy signs An Act to redesignate the Big Hole Battlefield National Monument, to revise the boundaries thereof, and for other purposes, changing the name of Big Hole Battlefield National Monument to Big Hole National Battlefield.
align=center rowspan=1|1962align=center|January 25Lieutenant Governor Tim Babcock assumes office as the 16th Governor of the State of Montana
align=center rowspan=1|1961align=center|January 2Donald Grant Nutter assumes office as the 15th Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1960align=center|April 1The 1960 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 674,767, an increase of 14.2% since the 1950 United States census. Montana becomes the 41st most populous of the 50 U.S. states.

1950s

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align=center rowspan=1|1953align=center|January 5J. Hugo Aronson assumes office as the 14th Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1950align=center|April 1The 1950 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 591,024, an increase of 5.6% since the 1940 United States census. Montana becomes the 42nd most populous of the 48 U.S. states.

1940s

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align=center rowspan=1|1949align=center|January 3John W. Bonner assumes office as the 13th Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1946align=center|March 22Custer Battlefield National Monument.
align=center rowspan=2|1945align=center|September 2World War II ends as the Empire of Japan formally surrenders.
align=center|May 8The war in Europe ends as the Greater German Empire formally surrenders.
align=center rowspan=3|1941align=center|December 11The United States declares war on the German Reich and the Italian Empire.
align=center|December 8The United States declares war on the Empire of Japan and enters World War II.
align=center|January 6Sam C. Ford assumes office as the 12th Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1940align=center|April 1The 1940 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 559,456, an increase of 4.1% since the 1930 United States census. Montana remains the 39th most populous of the 48 U.S. states.

1930s

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align=center rowspan=3|1937align=center|August 24U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs An Act authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to the State of Montana to be used for the purposes of a public park and recreational site, transferring Lewis and Clark Cavern National Monument to the State of Montana to become Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park.
align=center|July 22U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs An Act to create the Farmers' Home Corporation, to promote more secure occupancy of farms and farm homes, to correct the economic instability resulting from some present forms of farm tenancy, and for other purposes, also known as the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act.
align=center|January 4Roy E. Ayers assumes office as the 11th Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1935align=center|December 15President of the Montana Senate Elmer Holt assumes office as the tenth Governor of the State of Montana upon the death of Governor Frank Henry Cooney.
align=center rowspan=1|1933align=center|March 13Lieutenant Governor Frank Henry Cooney assumes office as the ninth Governor of the State of Montana upon the resignation of Governor John E. Erickson.
align=center rowspan=1|1932align=center|June 18The United States of America and Canada create the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
align=center rowspan=1|1930align=center|April 1The 1930 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 537,606, a decrease of -2.1% since the 1920 United States census. Montana remains the 39th most populous of the 48 U.S. states.

1920s

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align=center rowspan=1|1925align=center|January 4John E. Erickson assumes office as the eighth Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=2|1924align=center|November 24The State of Montana creates Petroleum County.
align=center|June 2U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signs An Act To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to issue certificates of citizenship to Indians, also known as the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, finally granting full United States Citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/68th-congress/session-1/c68s1ch233.pdf|title=An Act To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to issue certificates of citizenship to Indians|author=Sixty-eighth United States Congress|website=Library of Congress |author-link=68th United States Congress|date=June 2, 1924|access-date=November 16, 2020}}
align=center rowspan=1|1923align=center|May 11The State of Montana creates Lake County.
align=center rowspan=1|1921align=center|January 3Joseph M. Dixon assumes office as the seventh Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=5|1920align=center|December 10The State of Montana creates Judith Basin County.
align=center|October 4The State of Montana creates Golden Valley County.
align=center|August 30The State of Montana creates Daniels County.
align=center|April 1The 1920 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 548,889, an increase of 46.0% since the 1910 United States census. Montana becomes the 39th most populous of the 48 U.S. states.
align=center|February 11The State of Montana creates Liberty County.

1910s

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align=center rowspan=5|1919align=center|March 7The State of Montana creates Powder River County.
align=center|February 20The State of Montana creates McCone County.
align=center|February 18The State of Montana creates Roosevelt County.
align=center|February 17The State of Montana creates Glacier County and Pondera County.
align=center|February 7The State of Montana creates Garfield County and Treasure County.
align=center rowspan=1|1918align=center|November 11An armistice halts the Great War.
align=center rowspan=2|1917align=center|April 6The United States declares war on the German Empire and enters the Great War.
align=center|February 22The State of Montana creates Carter County and Wheatland County.
align=center rowspan=1|1916align=center|August 25U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signs An Act To establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes.{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/64th-congress/session-1/c64s1ch408.pdf|title=An Act To establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes|author=Sixty-fourth United States Congress|website=Library of Congress |author-link=64th United States Congress|date=August 25, 1916|access-date=November 16, 2020}}
align=center rowspan=1|1915align=center|February 5The State of Montana creates Phillips County and Prairie County.
align=center rowspan=4|1914align=center|August 17The State of Montana creates Wibaux County.
align=center|August 7The State of Montana creates Mineral County.
align=center|May 27The State of Montana creates Richland County.
align=center|May 7The State of Montana creates Toole County.
align=center rowspan=4|1913align=center|December 9The State of Montana creates Fallon County.
align=center|March 24The State of Montana creates Sheridan County and Stillwater County.
align=center|January 13The State of Montana creates Big Horn County.Big Horn County, Montana Territory was not the same county as present day Big Horn County, Montana.
align=center|January 6Sam V. Stewart assumes office as the sixth Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=2|1912align=center|February 29The State of Montana creates Blaine County.
align=center|February 28The State of Montana creates Hill County.
align=center rowspan=1|1911align=center|February 11The State of Montana creates Musselshell County.
align=center rowspan=3|1910align=center|June 23U.S. President William Howard Taft issues a proclamation creating Big Hole Battlefield National Monument.
align=center|May 11U.S. President William Howard Taft signs An Act to establish "The Glacier National Park" in the Rocky Mountains south of the international boundary line, in the State of Montana, and for other purposes.
align=center|April 1The 1910 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 376,053, an increase of 54.5% since the 1900 United States census. Montana becomes the 40th most populous of the 46 U.S. states and gains a second Congressional seat.

1900s

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align=center rowspan=1|1909align=center|March 9The State of Montana creates Lincoln County.
align=center rowspan=5|1908align=center|July 2U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues executive orders creating Jefferson National Forest, Custer National Forest, and Sioux National Forest.{{cite web|url=https://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/Documents/Establishment%20and%20Modifications%20of%20National%20Forest%20Boundaries%20and%20National%20Grasslands%201891%20to%202012.pdf|title=Establishment and Modification of National Forest Boundaries and National Grasslands|publisher=United States Forest Service|year=2012|access-date=November 16, 2020}}
align=center rowspan=2|July 1U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues an executive order re-establishing Absaroka National Forest.
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues executive orders creating Beaverhead National Forest, Deerlodge National Forest, and Bitterroot National Forest.
align=center|June 30U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues an executive order creating Beartooth National Forest.
align=center|June 25U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues executive orders creating Blackfeet National Forest and Flathead National Forest.
align=center rowspan=1|1908align=center|April 1Lieutenant Governor Edwin L. Norris assumes office as the fifth Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=2|1907align=center rowspan=2|March 2U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation renaming the Lewis & Clarke Forest Reserve as the Lewis & Clark Forest Reserve.
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues proclamations creating the Little Rockies Forest Reserve, the Cabinet Forest Reserve, and the Otter Forest Reserve.
align=center rowspan=8|1906November 6U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues proclamations creating the Little Belt Forest Reserve, the Pryor Mountains Forest Reserve, and the Missoula Forest Reserve.
align=center|November 5|U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues proclamations creating the Ekalaka Forest Reserve, the Snowy Mountains Forest Reserve, and the Big Hole Forest Reserve.
align=center|September 24|U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation creating the Long Pine Forest Reserve.
align=center|September 20|U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation creating the Lolo Forest Reserve.
align=center|August 13|U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation creating the Kootenai Forest Reserve.
align=center|August 10|U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation creating the Crazy Mountains Forest Reserve.
align=center|June 8U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt signs An Act For the preservation of American antiquities, also known as the Antiquities Act of 1906, giving the President of the United States the authority to create national monuments on federal lands to protect significant natural, cultural, or scientific features.{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/59th-congress/session-1/c59s1ch3060.pdf|title=An Act For the preservation of American antiquities|author=Fifty-ninth United States Congress|website=Library of Congress |author-link=59th United States Congress|date=June 8, 1906|access-date=November 16, 2020}}
align=center|April 12U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation creating the Helena Forest Reserve.
align=center rowspan=3|1905align=center|October 3U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues proclamations creating the Big Belt Forest Reserve, the Hell Gate Forest Reserve, and the Little Belt Forest Reserve.
align=center|May 12U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation creating the Elkhorn Forest Reserve.
align=center|February 7The State of Montana creates Sanders County.
align=center rowspan=1|1904align=center|June 14U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation creating the Bitter Root Forest Reserve.
align=center rowspan=2|1903align=center|January 29U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation creating the Highwood Mountains Forest Reserve.
align=center|January 29U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation consolidating the Absaroka Forest Reserve into the Yellowstone Forest Reserve.
align=center rowspan=2|1902align=center|September 4U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues a proclamation creating the Absaroka Forest Reserve. (Abolished January 29, 1903, but re-established July 1, 1908.)
align=center|August 16U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues proclamations creating the Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve and the Madison Forest Reserve.
align=center rowspan=3|1901align=center|February 11The State of Montana creates Rosebud County.
align=center|January 31The State of Montana creates Powell County.
align=center|January 7Joseph Toole assumes office as the fourth Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1900align=center|April 1The 1900 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 243,329, an increase of 70.3% since the 1890 United States census. Montana becomes the 41st most populous of the 45 U.S. states.

1890s

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align=center rowspan=1|1899align=center|February 10U.S. President Grover Cleveland issues a proclamation creating the Gallatin Forest Reserve.
align=center rowspan=3|1898align=center|December 10The United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain sign the Treaty of Paris of 1898 to end the Spanish–American War.
align=center|August 12The United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain sign a Protocol of Peace.
align=center|April 23The Kingdom of Spain declares war on the United States of America. The United States declares war on Spain two days later.
align=center rowspan=3|1897align=center|February 22U.S. President Grover Cleveland issues a proclamation creating the Bitter Root Forest Reserve, the Lewis & Clarke Forest Reserve, and the Flathead Forest Reserve.
align=center|February 9The State of Montana creates Broadwater County.
align=center|January 4Robert Burns Smith assumes office as the third Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=2|1895align=center|March 5The State of Montana creates Sweet Grass County.
align=center|March 4The State of Montana creates Carbon County.
align=center rowspan=7|1893align=center|March 2The State of Montana creates Granite County.
align=center rowspan=2|February 16The State of Montana creates Ravalli County.
The State of Montana founds the Agricultural College of the State of Montana.
align=center|February 13The State of Montana founds the University of Montana.
align=center|February 7The State of Montana creates Teton County.
align=center|February 6The State of Montana creates Flathead County and Valley County.
align=center|January 2John E. Rickards assumes office as the second Governor of the State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1891align=center|March 3U.S. President Benjamin Harrison signs An act to repeal timber-culture laws, and for other purposes, also known as the Forest Reserve Act of 1891, giving the President of the United States the authority to create protected national forests on federal lands.{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/51st-congress/session-2/c51s2ch561.pdf|title=An act to repeal timber-culture laws, and for other purposes|author=Fifty-first United States Congress|website=Library of Congress |author-link=51st United States Congress|date=March 3, 1891|access-date=November 16, 2020}}
align=center rowspan=1|1890align=center|April 1The 1890 United States census enumerates the population of the State of Montana, later determined to be 142,924, an increase of 265.0% since the 1880 United States census. Montana becomes the 41st most populous of the 43 U.S. states.

1880s

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align=center rowspan=4|1889align=center rowspan=2|November 8Joseph Toole assumes office as the first Governor of the State of Montana.
{{anchor|Statehood}} style="background-color:#FFDDDD;"

|U.S. President Benjamin Harrison issues Proclamation 293—Admission of Montana into the Union.{{cite web|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-293-admission-montana-into-the-union|title=Proclamation 293—Admission of Montana into the Union|author=Benjamin Harrison|date=November 8, 1889|publisher=The American Presidency Project|access-date=November 16, 2020}} The Territory of Montana becomes the State of Montana, the 41st U.S. state.

align=center|April 9U.S. President Benjamin Harrison appoints Benjamin F. White the ninth (and last) Governor of the Territory of Montana.
align=center|February 22U.S. President Grover Cleveland signs An Act to provide for the division of Dakota into two States and to enable the people of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington to form constitutions and State governments and to be admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original States, and to make donations of public lands to such States.{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/50th-congress/session-2/c50s2ch180.pdf|title=An act to provide for the division of Dakota into two States and to enable the people of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington to form constitutions and State governments and to be admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original States, and to make donations of public lands to such States|author=Fiftieth United States Congress|website=Library of Congress |author-link=50th United States Congress|date=February 22, 1889|access-date=November 16, 2020}}
align=center rowspan=3|1887align=center|September 12The Territory of Montana creates Cascade County.
align=center|February 23The Territory of Montana creates Park County.
align=center|February 8U.S. President Grover Cleveland appoints Preston Leslie the eighth Governor of the Territory of Montana.
align=center rowspan=2|1885align=center|July 14U.S. President Grover Cleveland appoints Samuel Thomas Hauser the seventh Governor of the Territory of Montana.
align=center|March 12The Territory of Montana creates Fergus County.
align=center rowspan=1|1884align=center|December 16U.S. President Chester A. Arthur appoints B. Platt Carpenter the sixth Governor of the Territory of Montana.
align=center rowspan=2|1883align=center|July 13U.S. President Chester A. Arthur appoints John Schuyler Crosby the fifth Governor of the Territory of Montana.
align=center|February 26The Territory of Montana creates Yellowstone County.
align=center rowspan=1|1881align=center|February 16The Territory of Montana creates Silver Bow County.
align=center rowspan=1|1880align=center|April 1The 1880 United States census enumerates the population of the Territory of Montana, later determined to be 39,159, an increase of 90.1% since the 1880 United States census. Montana becomes the sixth most populous of the eight U.S. territories.

1870s

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!style="width:6%"|Year

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align=center rowspan=4|1877align=center|September 30U.S. soldiers under the command of General Oliver Otis Howard attack Nez Perce people led by Chief Joseph attempting to flee to Canada in the Battle of Bear Paw. Chief Joseph and many Nez Perce are captured.
align=center|September 13U.S. soldiers under the command of Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis attack Nez Perce people attempting to flee to Canada in the Battle of Canyon Creek.
align=center|August 9U.S. soldiers under the command of Colonel John Gibbon attack Nez Perce people encamped in the Bitterroot Valley in the Battle of the Big Hole.
align=center|February 16The Territory of Montana changes the name of Big Horn County to Custer County in honor of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer.
align=center rowspan=2|1876align=center|July 4The Territory of Montana celebrates the Centennial of the United States of America while still reeling from the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
align=center|June 26The 7th Cavalry Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer are defeated at the Battle of the Little Bighorn by a force of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors.
align=center rowspan=1|1875align=center|April 19The Territory of Montana selects Helena as the third Territorial Capital. Helena remains the capital of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1872align=center|March 1U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signs An Act to set apart a certain tract of land lying near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River as a public park, creating Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park.{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-anniversaries.htm|title=Park Anniversaries|publisher=National Park Service|date=October 30, 2020|access-date=November 16, 2020}}
align=center rowspan=2|1870align=center|July 13U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant appoints Benjamin F. Potts the fourth Governor of the Territory of Montana.
align=center|April 1The 1870 United States census enumerates the population of the Territory of Montana, later determined to be 20,595. Montana is the sixth most populous of the nine U.S. territories.

1860s

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align=center rowspan=2|1869align=center|April 9U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant appoints James Mitchell Ashley the third Governor of the Territory of Montana.
align=center|January 15The Territory of Montana creates Dawson County.
align=center rowspan=1|1868align=center|March 1The Territory of Montana changes the name of Edgerton County to Lewis and Clark County in honor of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
align=center rowspan=1|1867align=center|November 16The Territory of Montana creates Meagher County.
align=center rowspan=1|1866align=center|October 3U.S. President Andrew Johnson appoints Green Clay Smith the second Governor of the Territory of Montana.
align=center rowspan=2|1865align=center|February 7The Territory of Montana selects Virginia City as the second Territorial Capital.
align=center|February 2The Territory of Montana creates nine original counties: Beaverhead County, Big Horn County, Chouteau County, Deer Lodge County, Edgerton County, Gallatin County, Jefferson County, Madison County, and Missoula County.{{cite web|url=https://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/MT_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Montana: Individual County Chronologies|publisher=Newberry Library|year=2005|access-date=November 17, 2020}}
align=center rowspan=6|1864align=center|October 30The gold camp of Helena is established.
align=center|September Territorial Governor Sidney Edgerton arrives in Bannack, Montana Territory.
align=center|July 14Four miners from the State of Georgia discover gold at Last Chance Gulch.
align=center|June 22U.S. President Abraham Lincoln appoints Sidney Edgerton the first Governor of the Territory of Montana.
align=center|May 28The provisional Montana Territorial Legislature selects Bannack as the first Territorial Capital.
{{anchor|Territory}} style="background-color:#DDFFDD;"

|align=center|May 26

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs An Act to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Montana.{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/38th-congress/session-1/c38s1ch95.pdf|title=An Act to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Montana|author=Thirty-Eighth United States Congress|website=Library of Congress |author-link=38th United States Congress|date=May 26, 1864|access-date=November 16, 2020}}
align=center rowspan=3|1863align=center|June 16The Virginia City Mining District is established in the Territory of Idaho.
align=center|May 26Bill Fairweather and Henry Edgar discover gold along Alder Creek in the Territory of Idaho.
align=center|March 3U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs An Act to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Idaho. The Territory of Idaho includes all of the future State of Montana.
align=center rowspan=1|1862align=center|July 28Gold is discovered along Grasshopper Creek in the Territory of Dakota. Bannack City is established nearby.
align=center rowspan=4|1861align=center|April 12The American Civil War begins with the Battle of Fort Sumter.
align=center|March 4Abraham Lincoln assumes office as the 16th President of the United States.
align=center|March 2Outgoing U.S. President James Buchanan signs the An Act to provide a temporary government for the Territory of Dakota, and to create the office of surveyor general therein. The Territory of Dakota includes all of the future State of Montana east of the Continental Divide of the Americas.
align=center|February 8The seven secessionist slave states create the Confederate States of America.
align=center rowspan=4|1860align=center|November 6Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States. Seven slave states will secede from the United States of America before February 8, 1861.
align=center|July 2The steamboats "Chippewa" and "Key West" arrive at the head of navigation of the Missouri River at Fort Benton, Montana.{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey J. |title=Montana Book of Days |publisher=Historic Montana Publishing |location=Missoula, MT |year=2003 |page=186 |isbn=0966335562}}
align=center| The United States Government completes the Mullan Road between Fort Benton and Walla Walla, Washington.{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey J. |title=Montana Book of Days |publisher=Historic Montana Publishing |location=Missoula, MT |year=2003 |page=138 |isbn=0966335562}}
align=center| Francis Lyman Worden and Captain Christopher P. Higgins found the settlement of Hell Gate near the future site of Missoula, Montana.{{cite web |url=http://historicmissoula.org/History/FromtheBeginning/HellGateVillageEra18601865/tabid/193/Default.aspx |title=Historic Missoula- Hell Gate Village Era (1860–65) |publisher=Missoula Historic Preservation Commission |access-date=2013-01-22}}

1850s

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align=center rowspan=1|1858align=center|May 12Brothers James and Granville Stuart discover gold at Gold Creek near the future site of Drummond, Montana.{{cite book |last=Milner |first=Clyde A. |author2=O'Connor, Carol A. |title=As Big As The West-The Pioneer Life of Granville Stuart |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2009 |chapter=Partners in a New Land |pages=[https://archive.org/details/asbigaswestpione00miln/page/39 39–68] |isbn=9780195127096 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/asbigaswestpione00miln/page/39 }}
align=center rowspan=1|1855align=center|July 16Isaac Stevens, the first Governor of the Territory of Washington, concludes the Hellgate treaty with Salish, Pend d'Oreille and Kootenai chiefs to establish the Jocko Reservation.{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey J. |title=Montana Book of Days |publisher=Historic Montana Publishing |location=Missoula, MT |year=2003 |page=200 |isbn=0966335562}}
align=center rowspan=1|1854align=center|May 30U.S. President Franklin Pierce signs An Act to Organize the Territories of Nebraska and Kansas. The Territory of Nebraska includes all of the future State of Montana east of the Continental Divide of the Americas.
align=center rowspan=1|1853align=center|March 2U.S. President Millard Fillmore signs An Act to establish the Territorial Government of Washington. The Territory of Washington includes the portion of the future State of Montana lying west of the Continental Divide of the Americas. The rest of the future state remains unorganized United States territory.
align=center rowspan=1|1852align=center|summer Trapper Francois Finlay discovers flakes of gold in Benetsee Creek (later Gold Creek) in the Territory of Oregon.

1840s

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!style="width:6%"|Year

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align=center rowspan=2|1848align=center|August 14U.S. President James K. Polk signs An Act to Establish the Territorial Government of Oregon. The Territory of Oregon includes the portion of the future State of Montana lying west of the Continental Divide of the Americas. The rest of the future state remains unorganized United States territory.
align=center|February 2The United States of America and United Mexican States sign the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to end the Mexican–American War.
align=center rowspan=3|1846align=center|July 17The Oregon Treaty between the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland takes effect. The 49th parallel north is set as the international border from the Strait of Georgia to the Lake of the Woods. All land in the future State of Montana becomes unorganized United States territory.
align=center|May 13The United States declares war on the Mexican Republic.
align=center| Alexander Culbertson establishes Fort Benton, the last fur trading post on the Upper Missouri River.[http://www.co.chouteau.mt.us/ Chouteau County, Montana Website], accessed 26 October 2009[http://www.fortbenton.com/fbrestore/history.htm The History of "Old Fort Benton"], Fort Benton Website, accessed 26 October 2009
align=center rowspan=1|1841align=center|September 24French Jesuit priest Pierre Jean DeSmet arrives in the Bitterroot Valley and establishes St. Mary's Mission, the first Euro-American settlement in the future State of Montana[http://www.saintmarysmission.org/history.html History of St. Mary's Mission in Stevensville, Montana – Where Montana Began]

1830s

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!style="width:6%"|Year

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align=center rowspan=1|1832align=center|spring The steamship Yellowstone makes its inaugural voyage from St. Louis to Fort Union and back.{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey J. |title=Montana Book of Days |publisher=Historic Montana Publishing |location=Missoula, MT |year=2003 |page=109 |isbn=0966335562}}

1820s

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!style="width:6%"|Year

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align=center rowspan=1|1828align=center|spring The American Fur Company establishes Fort Union on the Missouri River near its confluence with the Yellowstone River.
align=center rowspan=1|1822align=center|March 10William Henry Ashley forms the Rocky Mountain Fur Company in St. Louis. The company operates it in Wyoming and Montana for twelve years. Jim Bridger, William Sublette and Jedediah Smith are among its corps of trappers.{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey J. |title=Montana Book of Days |publisher=Historic Montana Publishing |location=Missoula, MT |year=2003 |page=82 |isbn=0966335562}}
align=center rowspan=2|1821align=center|August 10The State of Missouri is admitted to the Union. The rest of the Territory of Missouri becomes unorganized United States territory.
align=center|March 2U.S. President James Monroe signs An Act to authorize the people of the Missouri territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union on an equal footing with the original states, and to prohibit slavery in certain territories.

1810s

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align=center rowspan=1|1819align=center|January 30The Treaty of 1818 between the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland takes effect. The treaty calls for the joint occupation of the Oregon Country west of the Continental Divide of the Americas, and the 49th parallel north as the international border east of the Continental Divide to the Lake of the Woods. The Continental Divide separates the future State of Montana between the Oregon Country and the Territory of Missouri.
align=center rowspan=1|1814align=center| William Clark publishes A Map of Lewis and Clark's Track Across the Western Portion of North America.
align=center rowspan=2|1812align=center|October 1The Territory of Missouri creates St. Charles County which includes all land in the future State of Montana in the Missouri River watershed.
align=center|June 4U.S. President James Madison signs An Act providing for the government of the territory of Missouri. The Territory of Louisiana is renamed the Territory of Missouri. The Territory of Missouri includes all land in the future State of Montana in the Missouri River watershed.
align=center rowspan=1|1810align=center|February 26Canadian fur trader and explorer David Thompson encounters Salish Indians wintering on the Flathead River below Flathead Lake.{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey J. |title=Montana Book of Days |publisher=Historic Montana Publishing |location=Missoula, MT |year=2003 |page=59 |isbn=0966335562}}

1800s

class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"

!style="width:6%"|Year

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align=center rowspan=1|1809align=center|November 9Canadian fur trader and explorer David Thompson establishes Saleesh House at Thompson Falls on the Columbia River.{{cite book |last=Parry |first=Ellis Roberts |title=Montana Dateline |publisher=Globe Pequot Press |location=Guilford, CT |year=2001 |isbn=156044956X |page=245}}
align=center rowspan=1|1807align=center|November 21Fur trader Manuel Lisa establishes Fort Raymond at the confluence of the Big Horn River with the Yellowstone River.{{cite journal| last = Goodwin| first = Cardinal | title = Manuel Lisa | journal = The Overland Monthly | volume = 68| issue = 2 | pages = 151–155 | publisher = Overland Monthly Publishing Co. | location = San Francisco, California | date = February 1917 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=2MIRAAAAYAAJ}}
align=center rowspan=6|1806align=center|September 23The Lewis and Clark Expedition arrives in St. Louis in the Territory of Louisiana (the future State of Missouri).
align=center|August 11The Lewis and Clark Expedition reunites at the confluence of the Yellowstone River with the Missouri River.
align=center rowspan=2|July 7William Clark and the other members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition cross the Continental Divide of the Americas at the saddle now known as Big Hole Pass.
Meriwether Lewis and nine other members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition cross the Continental Divide of the Americas at the saddle now known as Lewis and Clark Pass.
align=center|July 3On their return east, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark decide to split their expedition to search for a shorter route to the Missouri River.
align=center|March 22The Lewis and Clark Expedition depart Fort Clatsop and begin their voyage back to the United States.
align=center rowspan=5|1805align=center|December 7The Lewis and Clark Expedition arrive at the site of their winter encampment on the south side of the Columbia River and begin the construction of Fort Clatsop.
align=center|August 12Meriwether Lewis and three other members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition cross the Continental Divide of the Americas at the saddle now known as Lemhi Pass and enter territory claimed by Native Americans, the Kingdom of Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Russian Empire. The rest of the expedition will follow.
align=center|June 13The Lewis and Clark Expedition reaches the Great Falls of the Missouri River. It will take four weeks to portage the falls.
align=center|April The Lewis and Clark Expedition travels up the Missouri River and enters the future State of Montana.
align=center|March 3U.S. President Thomas Jefferson signs An Act further providing for the government of the district of Louisiana. The District of Louisiana is reorganized as the self-governing Territory of Louisiana. The Territory of Louisiana includes all land in the future State of Montana in the Missouri River watershed.
align=center rowspan=3|1804align=center|October 1The District of Louisiana is organized under the jurisdiction of the Territory of Indiana.
align=center|May 21The Lewis and Clark Expedition departs St. Charles in the District of Louisiana (the future State of Missouri) and begins its voyage up the Missouri River.
align=center|March 26U.S. President Thomas Jefferson signs An Act erecting Louisiana into two territories, and providing for the temporary government thereof. The portion of the Louisiana Purchase north of the 33rd parallel north is designated the military District of Louisiana.
align=center rowspan=2|1803align=center|December 20The French Republic turns its colony of La Louisiane over to the United States. All land in the future State of Montana in the Missouri River watershed becomes unorganized United States territory.
align=center|April 30The United States and the French Republic sign the Louisiana Purchase Treaty.
align=center rowspan=1|1800align=center|October 1Under pressure from Napoléon Bonaparte, the Kingdom of Spain transfers the colony of la Luisiana back to the French Republic with the secret Third Treaty of San Ildefonso.

1780s

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align=center rowspan=1|1783align=center|September 3The Treaty of Paris is signed in Paris by representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America. The treaty affirms the independence of the United States and sets the Mississippi River as its western boundary.

1770s

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!style="width:6%"|Year

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{{anchor|USA}} style="background-color:#EEEEFF;"

|align=center|1776

align=center|July 4Representatives of the thirteen United States of America sign the Declaration of Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

1760s

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align=center|1762align=center|November 13Fearing the loss of its American territories in the Seven Years' War, the Kingdom of France transfers its colony of La Louisiane to the Kingdom of Spain with the secret Treaty of Fontainebleau.

1680s

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align=center|1682align=center|April 9René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, claims the Mississippi River and its watershed for the Kingdom of France and names the region La Louisiane in honor of King Louis XIV. The Mississippi Basin is later determined to be the fourth most extensive on Earth and includes lands inhabited by hundreds of thousands of native peoples and lands previously claimed by Spain, France, and England. The Louisiane claim includes all land in the future State of Montana east of the Continental Divide of the Americas. This will set up a rivalry among native peoples, France, Spain, and eventually the United States in the area.

1540s

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!style="width:6%"|Year

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align=center rowspan=1|1541align=center|June 28A Spanish military expedition led by Hernando de Soto, Governor of Cuba, become the first Europeans to cross the Mississippi River.

1510s

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!style="width:6%"|Year

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align=center|1513align=center|September 29Spanish conquistador Vasco Núñez de Balboa crosses the Isthmus of Panama and arrives on the shore of a sea that he names Mar del Sur (the South Sea, later named the Pacific Ocean). He claims the sea and all adjacent lands for the Queen of Castile. This includes the portion of the future State of Montana west of the Continental Divide of the Americas.

1490s

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!style="width:6%"|Year

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align=center|1493align=center|May 5Pope Alexander VI (born Roderic de Borja in Valencia) issues the papal bull Inter caetera which splits the non-Christian world into two halves. The eastern half goes to the King of Portugal for his exploration, conquest, conversion, and exploitation. The western half (including all of North America) goes to the Queen of Castile and the King of Aragon for their exploration, conquest, conversion, and exploitation. The indigenous peoples of the Americas have no idea that any of these people exist.
align=center|1492align=center|October 12Genoese seaman Cristòffa Cómbo (Christopher Columbus) leading an expedition for Queen Isabella I of Castile lands on the Lucayan island of Guanahani that he renames San Salvador. This begins the Spanish conquest of the Americas.

Before 1492

class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"

!style="width:6%"|Era

Event
align=center|{{circa|lk=no|12,000 BCE}}During a centuries long period of warming, ice-age Paleoamericans from Beringia begin using the ice-free corridor east of the Rocky Mountains to migrate throughout the Americas.


{{Timeline of Montana history navbar}}

See also

{{Pbox|History|North America|United States}}

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References

References are included in the linked articles.

{{reflist}}

External links

{{sister project links|Montana}}

  • [https://www.wyo.gov/ State of Montana website]
  • [https://wyshs.org/ Montana State Historical Society website]

{{Montana}}

{{U.S. political divisions histories}}

{{Authority control}}

{{coord|47.0527|-109.6333|dim:500000_region:US-MT_type:adm1st|name=Geometric center of the State of Montana|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Montana History, Timeline of}}

Timeline of Montana history

Category:Timelines of states of the United States

Category:United States history timelines