Here’s Mountain Man John Beaver Colter, celebrating the statehood of Montana — 8 Nov 1889. As you may know, Montana is Spanish for “mountain.” On the State Flag is the motto “Oro Y Plata” which reveals the Spaninsh influence as well as the importance of gold and silver mining to Montana.
Montana was part of the Louisiana Purchase and was explored by Lewis and Clark. John Colter was an indispensible member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition because of his outdoor skills and resourcefulness. He was the first non-Native American to see Yellowstone Park, which became known as “Colter’s Hell” due to his reports of geysers and boiling cauldrons. He is most famous in Montana for Colter’s Run. Colter was stripped naked by Blackfeet Indians and then pursued by 500 warriors. Colter survived becaused he dove under water and hid inside a beaver lodge where he stayed until his pursuers gave up and withdrew.
Montana Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin was the first woman in America to become a member of Congress. She was a pacifist and voted against both World War I and World War II.
Montana ranks 4th in the nation in size, 44th in population, and 48th in population desity. It’s mottos incude Big Sky County, Treasure State, and The Last Best Place. The Rocky Mountains with its Continental Divide run through Montana. There are Seven Indian Reservations in Montana, including the Crow Reservation. Crow soldiers from Montana became code talkers in WWII. Montana is the home of Custer’s Last Stand, Glacier National Park, the Northern entrance to Yellowstone Park, and the Charlie Russell Museum.
