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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.

2/8/2016: Fifty years ago the National Historic Preservation Act was created to help preserve the diverse archaeological and architectural treasures of America. As the homesteaders’ plows began turning over the prairie sod, only minimal curiosity and concern was given to the remnants of earlier civilizations.

2/25/2016: A man present for many firsts in North Dakota died on this date in 1910.

2/29/2016: Cass County is the most populous county in North Dakota. In 2013 it was the 14th fastest growing county in the entire country. It was one of the original counties defined in 1872, and was organized a year later on October 27th. The county was named for General George Washington Cass, president of the Northern Pacific Railroad when Cass County was organized. The county seat has always been Fargo.

3/1/2016: Oakley Crawford was born on this date in 1847; it was an event many people came to regret. Little is known of Oakley’s early years, except that he served in the Civil War and was said to be ordained as a Methodist minister.

3/2/2016:

3/18/2016: the United Packinghouse Workers of America had entered its third day. The local strikers had been reinforced by men from St. Paul, and violence broke out at the Armour and Company packing plant. Pickets attacked three deputy sheriffs and the drivers of trucks attempting to bring in cattle. They also damaged the trucks of farmers who tried to cross the picket line.

3/21/2016: One of North Dakota’s most notorious convicted killers died on this date in 1925. Henry Layer was sentenced to life in prison for murdering eight people, including seven members of the Wolf family who lived near Turtle Lake, North Dakota.

3/23/2016: A military draft was instituted during the American Civil War. It proved to be very unpopular, and was abolished when the war was over. But when World War I broke out, the draft was reintroduced with the Selective Service Act of 1917. All men ages of 21 to 30 had to register.

3/31/2016: 1973 began with the announcement of the Paris Peace Accords on January 27. It was intended to halt the fighting between North and South Vietnam and end the American military involvement. Fighting continued in spite of the ceasefire.