On This Day

Montana Freemen surrender after an 81-day standoff with FBI agents

The Montana Freemen were an anti-government Christian Patriot militia based outside the town of Jordan, Montana, United States.

The Montana Freemen were an anti-government Christian Patriot militia based outside the town of Jordan, Montana, United States. The members of the group referred to their land as "Justus Township" and had declared their leaders and followers "sovereign citizens" no longer under the authority of any outside government. They became the center of public attention in 1996 when they engaged in a prolonged armed standoff with agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Historical Significance

The Montana Freemen were an anti-government Christian Patriot militia based outside the town of Jordan, Montana, United States.

Events Before

  1. Poppy [Moriah Rose Pereira] is born

    Poppy [Moriah Rose Pereira] is born

  2. Centennial of the Canadian Mounties' presence in Canada's Yukon Territory

    Centennial of the Canadian Mounties' presence in Canada's Yukon Territory

  3. Camilla Parker Bowles (46) and her husband retired Army Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles(55) divorce, after 21 years of ma

    Camilla Parker Bowles (46) and her husband retired Army Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles(55) divorce, after 21 years of marriage

  4. "Back for Good" single released by British boy band Take That, reaches No. 1 in 31 countries

    Take That are an English pop group formed in Manchester in 1990. The group currently consists of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.

  5. American actress Julia Roberts (27) and American singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett (37) divorce after less than 2 years of m

    American actress Julia Roberts (27) and American singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett (37) divorce after less than 2 years of marriage

Events After

  1. The Republic of Zaire officially joins the World Trade Organization as Zaire

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo, or less often Zaire, is a country in Central Africa.

  2. "Smothers Brothers" actor-singer Dick Smothers (58) weds third wife Denby Franklin (47) in Las Vegas, Nevada; divorce in

    "Smothers Brothers" actor-singer Dick Smothers (58) weds third wife Denby Franklin (47) in Las Vegas, Nevada; divorce in 2006

  3. "Wall Street" actor Charlie Sheen (31) divorces model Donna Peele after nearly 5 months of marriage

    "Wall Street" actor Charlie Sheen (31) divorces model Donna Peele after nearly 5 months of marriage

  4. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," created by Joss Whedon and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, premieres on the WB Television Ne

    "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," created by Joss Whedon and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, premieres on the WB Television Network

  5. American rapper Vanilla Ice (29) weds Laura Giarritta

    American rapper Vanilla Ice (29) weds Laura Giarritta

More from the 1990s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on June 13, 1996?
The Montana Freemen were an anti-government Christian Patriot militia based outside the town of Jordan, Montana, United States. The members of the group referred to their land as "Justus Township" and had declared their leaders and followers "sovereign citizens" no longer under the authority of any outside government. They became the center of public attention in 1996 when they engaged in a prolonged armed standoff with agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Why is Montana Freemen surrender after an 81-day standoff with FBI agents significant?
The Montana Freemen were an anti-government Christian Patriot militia based outside the town of Jordan, Montana, United States.

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