Politics of Montana in 1988
The politics of Montana in 1988 were largely dominated by the Republican Party. At the time, Montana was a solidly red state, with Republicans holding all but two of the state’s congressional seats and controlling both chambers of the state legislature. The governor’s office was also held by a Republican, as it had been since 1969. The election of 1988 saw little change in this partisan makeup, with Republicans maintaining their strong hold on power.
According to Citypopulationreview, Montana had several issues that were important to its electorate during the 1988 election cycle. One issue was mining reform; the state had long been a major producer of coal and copper, and there were efforts to regulate how these resources were mined and used. Another issue was abortion; Montana had passed a law restricting abortions in 1987, which sparked heated debate between pro-life and pro-choice groups. Additionally, gun control was an important topic in 1988; the National Rifle Association (NRA) had become increasingly influential in Montana politics over the preceding years, and there was much debate over gun rights versus gun control laws. Finally, environmental conservation was also an important issue for many Montanans; while some wanted to see more restrictions imposed on industry to protect nature and wildlife, others wanted to focus on economic development instead.
Population of Montana in 1988
In 1988, Montana had a population of 799,065 people, making it the 44th most populous state in the United States. The population was largely concentrated in the western part of the state, as well as along the Missouri River Valley. According to Travelationary, the largest city was Billings, with a population of 87,028. Other major cities included Missoula (56,902), Great Falls (51,222), and Bozeman (25,845).
The majority of Montana’s population was White; according to the 1990 census, 85.4% of Montanans were White while 4.2% were Native American and 0.6% African American. Additionally, 10.3% reported being of Hispanic or Latino origin. The median age in 1988 was 32 years old; 51% of Montanans were under the age of 35 while only 6% were over 65 years old.
According to Allunitconverters, Montana also had a relatively high proportion of people living in rural areas; 71% of Montanans lived outside urban centers while 29% lived in urban areas in 1988. This reflects Montana’s agricultural and mining-based economy which relied heavily on rural labor forces at the time.
Economy of Montana in 1988
In 1988, Montana’s economy was largely driven by agriculture, mining, and tourism. Agriculture had long been a major industry in the state, with wheat, barley, and hay being the primary crops. Livestock production was also an important part of the state’s agricultural sector; in 1988, beef cattle were the largest livestock sector followed by sheep and wool production.
Mining was also a major contributor to Montana’s economy in 1988; coal and copper were the two main minerals mined in the state. Copper mining alone accounted for over 10% of all employment in Montana during this period. In addition to these two main minerals, gold and silver were also mined in smaller quantities.
Tourism was another important industry in Montana during this period; Glacier National Park was a popular destination for visitors from all over the country. Other attractions included Yellowstone National Park, Flathead Lake, and Big Sky Resort. Hunting and fishing were also popular activities for tourists who visited Montana during this time period.
The economy of Montana in 1988 was largely based on natural resources; however, there was also significant growth in service industries such as healthcare and education during this time period as well. The unemployment rate was 5.2%, slightly higher than the national average at that time (4.6%). Additionally, per capita income was slightly below the national average at $15,791 compared to $17,912 nationwide.
Events held in Montana in 1988
Montana was home to a variety of events in 1988. One of the largest events was the Montana State Fair, held annually in July and August. The fair featured carnival rides, livestock shows, rodeos, and performances by local and national acts. It also featured a variety of food vendors and craft displays from local artisans.
The Montana Folk Festival was another popular event held each summer in Butte. This festival showcased traditional music, dance, crafts, and culture from around the world. It included performances by folk musicians from all over Montana as well as international acts from countries such as Ireland, Scotland, Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan, and more.
The Big Sky Country State Games were also held each year in the summer months. This event featured a variety of sports competitions for both adults and children including track & field events, basketball tournaments, kayaking races, swimming meets, archery competitions and much more.
Montana also hosted a number of rodeo events throughout the year including the National Circuit Finals Rodeo (NCFR), which is considered one of the premier rodeos in the country. The NCFR is held each year at MetraPark Arena in Billings and features some of the top cowboys from all over North America competing for prizes and championship titles.
In addition to these events, there were also numerous festivals held throughout Montana such as Cowboy Poetry Festivals which celebrated cowboy culture with poetry readings and music performances; Arts Festivals which showcased local artisans; Wine Festivals which highlighted various wines produced in Montana; Music Festivals which showcased some of Montana’s best musical talent; Beer Fests which highlighted craft beers from around the state; Farmers Markets which offered locally grown produce; Food Fests that offered delicious dishes made by local chefs; plus many more.