Christmas

The many windows of the North Dakota Capitol make the tower a unique canvas for lighted designs. One of the first was a cross at Easter in 1934. Over the years, one of the most popular designs has been a Christmas tree. The Christmas tree window design dates back to the building’s earliest years, during the Great Depression.

The tree is in the Great Hall.

On this date in 1954, the Bismarck Tribune reported that a large portion of Bismarck's business district would be decorated with Christmas street lighting for the holiday season. E. V. Lahr, Jr., president of the Chamber of Commerce said a lighted canopy over the streets would "dress up Bismarck for the holidays." The lights would go up about Thanksgiving time and come down around the New Year weekend.

Merry Christmas! Here is a sampling of how North Dakotans of yore celebrated Christmas.

On this date in 1928, readers of the Flasher Tribune were reminded that there were only 15 days of Christmas shopping left. Fewer days than today, since stores were closed on Sundays back then.

North Dakota’s bare landscape isn’t known for its trees, but in the state’s centennial year of 1989, North Dakota provided two trees for Christmas in the nation’s capital.

On this date in 1923, a strong holiday spirit prevailed in the city of Bismarck as residents made ready for the holiday. The shops in downtown Bismarck had thrummed with activity throughout the season. On this date, a Community Christmas event was set to start, with trumpeters stationed around the city, "adding a touch of the old-time method of observing Christmas, and calling the people to the community gathering."

A Scandinavian Christmas tradition.

On this date in 1923, it was not exactly looking a lot like Christmas in North Dakota. In fact, the Bismarck Tribune noted that it would NOT be a white…

The 1918 influenza pandemic emerged in North Dakota weeks before the holiday season. Communities locked down, closing schools, churches, theaters and…