Sitting Bull to Phil Jackson, cattle to prairie dogs, knoephla to lefse. North Dakota's legacy includes many strange stories of eccentric towns, war heroes, and various colorful characters. Hear all about them on Dakota Datebook, your daily dose of North Dakota history.
—
Dakota Datebook is made in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota, and funded by Humanities North Dakota, a nonprofit, independent state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily reflect those of Humanities North Dakota or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
You can find all Dakota Datebooks from 2018-today below. Our archive of Datebooks from 2003-2017 can be found here.
-
Modern Woodmen of America is the third-largest fraternal benefit society in terms of assets and has grown to over 700,000 members. The name was inspired by pioneer woodmen who “cleared forests to build homes and communities and provide security for their families.” -
Professor E.F. Ladd was North Dakota’s food commissioner. Known as a determined enforcer of the state’s pure food and drug laws, Ladd was a determined watchdog for the safety of North Dakotans. In October 1911, he visited the Fargo branch of Armour and Company and requested to purchase three pounds of lard. Instead, he was sold a pail containing two pounds and six ounces. North Dakota’s pure food and drug law required that containers of lard contain one, three, or five pounds, or a multiple of those weights, and not a fraction. As a result of Ladd’s purchase, North Dakota took Armour and Company to court.
-
Harrison A. Bronson was born in Nunica, Michigan, on November 19, 1873. His Master of Arts degree was the first master's degree granted by the University of North Dakota. He earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota. In 1901, he opened a practice in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, but shortly after moved to Grand Forks, where he practiced until 1917. He served in the State Senate, followed by a stint as Assistant Attorney General. In 1918, he was elected to the Supreme Court. After six years, he retired and planned to return to Grand Forks.
-
Sitting Bull was born in Dakota Territory between 1831 and 1837, traditionally believed to be along the Yellowstone River in what is now Montana. At the age of fourteen, he joined his first war party and quickly earned a reputation for fearlessness in battle.
-
Cooperative organizations in the United States have their roots in the Industrial Revolution in England. Small, home-based businesses were replaced by large factories, and workers were forced to move to cities, where they endured harsh working conditions and low wages.
-
The twelfth day of Christmas or Twelfth Night, is known as Kings Day at Turtle Mountain. In Catholic tradition, it is the Feast of Epiphany, honoring the three wise men who traveled to Bethlehem to see the Christ Child.
-
The road to the vote was a long one for North Dakota women. In 1883, they gained the right to vote in school elections. In 1885, state legislators laughed when J.A. Pickler introduced a bill granting universal suffrage to women. The measure passed, but Dakota Territory Governor Gilbert Pierce, claiming women didn’t want the vote, refused to sign it.
-
In 1958, 96-year-old Joseph Gourneau, father of Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribal chairman and historian Pat Gourneau, was interviewed by Bob Cory of the Minot Daily News. Joseph was one of the last generations born to follow the buffalo.
-
Robbery abounds! Though North Dakota may not be the first state thought of when considering the Wild West, the state and its people are no strangers to criminal activity. On this date in 1904, T.J. Fordham was found guilty of highway robbery.
-
A shocking scandal involving P.M. Mattson of New Rockford broke on this date in 1900. Mattson, the state's attorney of Eddy County, faced sensational charges. Attorney E.C. Greene was in New Rockford to investigate allegations that Mattson had charged gamblers and blind piggers for protection. The charges were so serious that the state was considering initiating impeachment proceedings against him.
Dakota Datebook is made in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota, and funded by Humanities North Dakota, a nonprofit, independent state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily reflect those of Humanities North Dakota or the National Endowment for the Humanities.