Trista Raezer-Stursa

In 1984 president Ronald Reagan announced NASA’s newest program, the Teacher in Space Project. The program’s goal was to promote student interest in math, science, and space. Almost 11,000 teachers from across the country applied in the hopes of going into space on the shuttle Challenger. The applicants were narrowed down to two teachers per state and territory, and eventually to ten finalists.

On this date in 1995, the Bismarck Tribune reported on a most unusual postmaster. Gordon Vaagen, postmaster of Taylor since 1967, was a musical virtuoso. When not running the post office he was repairing and making instruments.

It’s not every day that someone refuses a $20,000 payment from the government, but that’s exactly what Adolph Shirley did. On this date in 1986, the Bismarck Tribune reported that Shirley refused payment for land he would lose to the Garrison Diversion.