Tessa Sandstrom

12/8/2006: Little did he know as he enlisted in the Army Air Corps today in 1942, Jim Tronson was about to become a friend of fate. Despite what seemed like unfortunate circumstances, destiny would bring Jim from an ill-fated 13th mission, to friends in France, and back to his crew several years later.

12/7/2006: Students are always looking for cheap accommodation while going to school, but the University of North Dakota was taking it to a whole new level. On this day in 1933, the Leader reported that university officials had established a new innovative dormitory for students struggling through the Depression.

12/6/2006: The date was August 25, 1966. Minot was soon to become the scene of an unexplainable UFO sighting.

12/3/2006: Even in death, Sitting Bull was making an impression. On this day in 1891, the Winona Times reported Sitting Bull’s cabin was en route to Chicago for the World Trade Fair.

12/2/2006: By now, children are giving hints of Christmas wishes, but on this day in 1921, the postmaster had his own wish.

11/30/2006: Every summer, the small town of Medora is flooded with tourists, but the town shouldn’t be remembered without first remembering those who worked to make it North Dakota’s most popular historic destination.

11/29/2006: On this day in 1921, the residents of Bismarck were still excited over the recent visit of Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France. During the visit, Foch was reported to have touched the spirit of the West. By then, little remained of Bismarck’s Old West, but residents were reminiscing about Bismarck’s earlier days—a time when the city truly resembled the pioneer days of the West.

11/27/2006: Thousands of people lined the streets and gathered in the Bismarck auditorium on this day in 1921 to greet the French war hero, Marshal Ferdinand Foch.

11/26/2006: The North Dakota winters might seem like they’re good-for-nothing, but the conditions were perfect for future speed-skating champion Norval Baptie. Baptie was born in Ontario, but came to Bathgate at the age of one. By the time he was 16, Baptie had won his first world title.

11/25/2006: Lawrence Welk had become a national sensation, and tonight in 1946, Welk’s music was heard on his nightly program on WGN. The artist had come far indeed, but not without some changes.