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12/28/2015: Durum wheat from North Dakota makes some of the world’s greatest pasta and noodles, but for decades, those oodles of noodles were made outside the state. In fact, on this date in 1911, the Grand Forks Herald touted the quality of the “Minnesota” brand of macaroni and spaghetti that was so good that even little children would “want it three times a day.”

12/29/2015: Territorial delegates have represented territories in Congress since the late 1700s, when territories bound for statehood were granted representation in Congress. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 predates the Constitution, and provided for government of the Northwest Territory.

1/1/2016: The end of the year, and the succession of the next, heralds in a time for reflection and navel-gazing. Many see this time of year as a chance for changing that which is lacking, and acknowledging and even praising that which is full.

1/20/2016: Fifty years ago the National Historic Preservation Act was created to help preserve the diverse archaeological and architectural treasures of America that were quickly disappearing. One of these treasures, preserved and still visible today, is the Soo Line Depot at Wilton.

1/22/2016: In 1898, the city of New York grew into “Greater New York” when Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx and Manhattan joined in one of the biggest consolidations of its time. It became the world’s second-largest city with a multitude of fascinating things happening – fine-art, architectural grandeur, booming business, flourishing museums and libraries.

1/25/2016: Filming was just underway on this date in 1995 for Joel and Ethan Coen’s movie “Fargo.” The crime drama released in 1996 is often pointed to as Fargo and North Dakota’s first pop culture reference even though the film’s story had little to do with the city.

1/28/2016: World War I caused changes throughout the world. When the war broke out in Europe, North Dakotans were very reluctant for America to get involved. Many of the state’s citizens were isolationists, and the large number of German immigrants may have been a factor. Or North Dakotans may have had clear memories of sending troops to the Philippines only twenty years before. They knew the hardships that war would cause, from shortages of goods to shortages of agricultural labor.

1/29/2016: North Dakota’s history of governors is turbulent, with several removals and even a recall. Ole H. Olsen, lieutenant governor under William Langer, became North Dakota’s eighteenth governor in 1934. He died on this date in 1954 in New Rockford, North Dakota.

2/1/2016: As you know, Dakota Territory included what would become North and South Dakota, which gives North Dakota some claim to the Territory’s darling, Laura Ingalls Wilder.

2/3/2016: Winter in North Dakota is not for the faint of heart, for blasts of Arctic cold can freeze your nose or your toes. Sub-zero temperatures in January and February have always posed a challenge to homeowners, with the poorest residents of North Dakota facing the greatest challenge in paying to heat their homes. Today’s Datebook story tells how the people of Grand Forks provided assistance to its neediest citizens back in the 1920s, and how a coal-mining company helped out.