People have lived in Montana for over twelve thousand years. Thus, the history of Montana's people begins long before the earliest events recorded on this timeline. Since we relied on the written record to create this timeline, the state's early history is dramatically underrepresented.

All timeline entries are from Montana: Stories of the Land, the Montana Historical Society's Montana history textbook. Read the book to learn more! Click on the links within the timeline or place your mouse on the green header menu at the top of your screen. Drop down menus will appear to direct you to specific chapters.