8 November: Montana admission day

Today is Montana admission day, marking the date in 1889 when Montana became part of the United States. Here are 10 things you might not know about Montana.

1. Montana is the 4th largest state in the USA, by area, but only the 44th most populated state. Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia and New York could all fit inside it, but the population density in some parts of Montana is only six people per square mile.
2. The name Montana is derived from the Spanish word for mountain. Its nicknames include "Big Sky Country" and "The Treasure State." In fact, due to the Gold found there, the capital city of Helena had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world in 1888, and the Montana Yogo Sapphire is the only North American gem to be included in the Crown Jewels of England.
3. There are more Cows than people in Montana. There are also more elk, deer and antelope. The largest migratory elk herd in the US lives in Montana.
4. In 1916, Montana became the first state to elect a woman to Congress. This was before women even had the vote in the US. Her name was Jeanette Rankin.
5. Other famous people from Montana include Gary Cooper, Evel Knievel, animator Brad Bird known for his work on Rugrats, The Simpsons and The Incredibles, and Scot Schmidt, the first professional extreme skier.
6. The bitterroot is the official state flower. The western meadowlark is the official state bird. The state's official animal is the grizzly Bear. The state's motto is Oro y Plata meaning gold and Silver.
7. By law, single women are not allowed to go fishing on their own in Montana, and married women are not allowed to open their husbands' mail. Drawing funny faces on your window shades is forbidden as is having sex in any position other than the missionary position. Nor is it allowed to transport a sheep in the cab of a truck without a chaperone.
8. Montana was the site of the first Gideon Bible to be placed in a hotel room, and the first luge run in the US, at Lolo Hot Springs in 1965.
9. The town of Ekalaka was named after the daughter of the famous Sioux chief, Sitting Bull.
10. Montana is the only state with a triple divide, which allows water to flow into the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and the Hudson Bay.