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.
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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.
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In this episode of Dakota Date book, we'll hear Josie Lawrence, enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation share a bit about how to teach by example. -
In North Dakota, a woman coaching high school basketball remains rare enough to make headlines. As recently as January 2026, the Fargo Forum profiled the only two women coaching basketball in the state’s highest sports classification. Both led girls’ teams. A woman coaching boys’ basketball is rarer still.
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On this date in 1969, the North Dakota Senate Agriculture Committee heard a contentious argument over the destiny of milk prices. On one side was the Milk Stabilization Board, which wanted more power to set the minimum price of milk in the state.
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Wahpeton Indian School was established as a government institution by an Act of Congress in 1904 and was a source of civic pride and regular news coverage early in its history. After construction was completed, many public events were held in the new facilities, which were considered the best in town.
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On this date in 1973, a happy puppy tale warmed the heart of winter. The lucky puppy owners were interviewed by the Wahpeton Daily News for an “authentic, believe-it-or-not” feel-good story.
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On this date in 1798, Pembina fur trader Chaboillez of the North West Company noted that “the Old Coutre Oreille” and her son set off for her cache. He gave her incentive gifts “to encourage her to return.” He likely identified the Odawa leader Net-No-Kwa and her adopted son, John Tanner, “The White Indian,” who was abducted in Kentucky as a child by Ojibwe men from Michigan.
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The state was still in the grip of winter when North Dakotans learned another hardship was on the horizon. On this date in 1934, they had grasshoppers on their minds. Just the day before, entomologists warned farmers to expect the worst grasshopper infestation in many years and that no part of the state was safe.
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On this date in 1797, fur trader Chaboillez of the North West Company recorded the arrival of Animiikance, Little Thunder, at the Pembina fur trade post. Little Thunder was hired to guide personnel to the Souris River and obtain supplies for the Pembina post from trader McDonnell. The crew was instructed to return their guide to Pembina in the spring.
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North Dakota winters have been described as “consistently very cold,” with January and February being the coldest months. This comes as no great surprise to North Dakotans, who tend to take a certain amount of state pride for thriving in such a severe environment. Daytime temperatures tend to hover between the teens and mid-20s. Nighttime temperatures to dip into the -10 to -20-degree range, sometimes falling to -40.
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Among the long-running traditions at Wahpeton Indian School was the annual Valentine’s Dance and King and Queen of Hearts coronation. Sponsored by the Student Government Association, the event served as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Beginning in 1965, students used their weekly spending-money allowances to cast votes for a king and queen. The gymnasium was decorated in festive Valentine style, including two thrones on the stage.
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.