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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If you look at the ingredients in some foods, especially candy, you might spot Blue Number 2 on the list. While natural red dye comes from bugs, Blue Number 2 has a different origin—it was first extracted from coal, specifically lignite coal, which is commonly found in the western portion of North Dakota. -
In January 1857, a survey party left St. Cloud, Minnesota, bound for the headwaters of the Red River. Despite winter hazards, they were determined to beat rivals to the region. The expedition was led by French-Chippewa guides Charles and Pierre Bottineau. Pierre, known as the Kit Carson of the Northwest, was a famous frontiersman and surveyor.
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North Dakota was still a brand-new state in January 1890. One of the first orders of business was a bill introduced in the state legislature to establish the North Dakota Agricultural College and Experimental Station. Plans moved quickly, and the bill was passed and signed by the governor in March. The college opened on January 3, 1892, with 123 students.
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Dakota Territory was settled by a diverse population as people moved west to the Great Plains. Historian Stephanie Roper notes that, “Although Black people were never numerous, they entered the territory with the first white settlers and made a significant contribution to the land and its people.” After the Civil War, many freed slaves took advantage of the Homestead Act and moved to Dakota Territory to start new lives.
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Winter in North Dakota can be challenging, but it also offers great experiences and traditions. Today’s datebook joins the celebration of winter with Vinterfest, in partnership with the Northern Plains National Heritage Area and the Sons of Norway Sverdrup, during January and February.
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Birdwatching has become a popular pastime. Birdwatchers are convinced that birds have intrinsic value and that protecting them is essential. However, enthusiasm doesn’t always lead to social consensus. Elected officials answer to voters, and corporate executives answer to shareholders. University of Utah ornithologist Cagan Sekercioglu says that to influence policymakers, it’s crucial to “offer credible research showing that healthy bird populations are essential to human welfare.”
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.