1700s French fur traders enter the region.
1803 The United States buys much of Montana from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
1804 Lewis and Clark travel through Montana on their way to the Pacific Ocean.
1807 Manuel Lisa built a trading post on the Yellowstone River, where it meets the Big Horn river.
1828 Fort Union was built.
1841 St. Mary's Mission is built.
1846 Fort Benton is established on the Missouri River.

1858 Gold is discovered at Gold Creek sparking a gold rush in the region.
1863 Montana becomes part of the Idaho territory.
1864 Montana became a territory, with Virginia City as the capital.
1864 The city of Helena is founded.
1872 Yellowstone National Park is established in southern Montana.
1875 Helena becomes the capital of the Montana Territory.
1876 General George Custer is defeated at the Battle of Little Big Horn.
1877 Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce are defeated at Bear Paw during their famous retreat to Canada.
1889 Montana was admitted to the Union as the 41st state. Helena was selected as the capital.
1910 Glacier National Park is established.
1914 Women gain the right to vote in Montana.
1916 Jeannette Rankin is the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress.
1983 After operating copper mine for 100 years Anaconda closes operations in Montana.