Joseph K. Toole, Governor of the State of Montana: The first territorial capital was at Bannack. [259], Montana has been a destination for its world-class trout fisheries since the 1930s. Hell Roaring Creek begins in southern Montana, and when combined with the Red Rock, Beaverhead, Jefferson, Missouri, and Mississippi River, is the longest river in North America and the fourth longest river in the world. Montana's nickname refers to the state's plentiful mineral resources. The first school term started in early winter and lasted only until February 28. Overall, since 1889 the state has voted for Democratic governors 60 percent of the time and Republican governors 40 percent of the time. GENERAL PROVISIONS – Part 5. Other major lakes include Whitefish Lake in the Flathead Valley and Lake McDonald and St. Mary Lake in Glacier National Park. [120] Until the Oregon Treaty (1846), land west of the continental divide was disputed between the British and U.S. and was known as the Oregon Country. [163], War sentiment was complicated by labor issues. The organization is an outreach endeavor that is part of the College of Arts & Architecture at Montana State University, Bozeman. Montana State Motto “Oro y Plata” (Gold and Silver) Montana State Nicknames Big Sky Country The Mountain State The Bonanza State The Headwaters State The Stubbed-Toe State Montana State Slogans […] In 1916, Montana became the first state to elect a woman, Progressive Republican Jeannette Rankin, to Congress. [27], East of the divide, several roughly parallel ranges cover the state's southern part, including the Gravelly Range, Madison Range, Gallatin Range, Absaroka Mountains, and Beartooth Mountains. Montana became a United States territory (Montana Territory) on May 26, 1864. The first gold discovered in Montana was at Gold Creek near present-day Garrison in 1852. [158] In addition, small homesteads of fewer than 320 acres (130 ha) were unsuited to the environment. [25] It causes the Waterton River, Belly, and Saint Mary rivers to flow north into Alberta, Canada. [64], East of the divide the Missouri River, which is formed by the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers near Three Forks,[65] flows due north through the west-central part of the state to Great Falls. [193], As of 2009, almost two-thirds of Native Americans in the state live in urban areas. The Montana Supreme Court has the authority to declare acts of the legislature and executive unconstitutional under either the Montana or U.S. constitutions. [58] If Hudson Bay is considered part of the Arctic Ocean, Triple Divide Peak is the only place on Earth with drainage to three different oceans. Tracks of the Northern Pacific Railroad (NPR) reached Montana from the west in 1881 and from the east in 1882. The Montana Supreme Court struck down the nonpartisan law in 1911 on technical grounds, but a new law was enacted in 1935 which barred political parties from endorsing, making contributions to, or making expenditures on behalf of or against judicial candidates. Another nickname for the state is Big Sky Country. and continues to do so. [194], The Chinese in Montana, while a low percentage today, have been an important presence. [108][112] According to a study done for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Science, parts of Montana will experience a 200% increase in area burned by wildfires, and an 80% increase in related air pollution.[114][115]. 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