Today in North Dakota History

November 1, 1881

Grand Forks Herald began publication as daily newspaper.

November 1, 1926

Queen Marie of Rumania visited Bismarck.

November 2, 1889

U.S. President Harrison admitted North Dakota to statehood. John Miller took office as first governor.

November 3, 1914

A.J. Gronna became first U.S. senator from North Dakota elected by popular vote.

November 3, 1914

North Dakota Constitution amended to permit initiative and referendum.

November 3, 1894

The University of North Dakota held its first intern-collegiate athletic contest a football game with North Dakota Agricultural College. The latter won 20-4, but UND protested use of a professor it classed as a professional player.

November 3, 1804

Lewis and Clark Expedition started construction of their winter encampment, Fort Mandan, across the Missouri in the vicinity of present-day Washburn. The fort was named for the friendly tribe of Indians that had villages nearby.

November 6, 1956

John E. Davis of McClusky, a Republican, was elected North Dakota's 25th governor. He served through 1960.

November 9, 1889

Carl Ben Eielson, pioneer aviator and native of Hatton, died on a mercy flight off Alaska's Bering Coast.

November 12, 1892

C.L. Taft was elected mayor of Northwood at its first municipal election.

November 14, 1925

Gerald P. Nye appointed to U.S. Senate vacancy.

November 17, 1879

First issue of North Dakota's first daily newspaper, the Argus, was published in Fargo.

November 19, 1889

The first North Dakota Legislature convened at Bismarck. It was this body that established a 60-day limit for subsequent legislatures, a ruling still in effect.

November 19, 1872

Name of Fort McKeen changed to Fort Abraham Lincoln.

November 21, 1921

Governor R.A. Nestos took office after recall of Governor Frazier.

November 20, 1804

Lewis and Clark Expedition moved into winter camp at Fort Mandan.

November 21, 1889

North Dakota Legislature elected Gilbert A. Pierce as state's first U.S. senator.

November 24, 1968

Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. dedicated its new headquarters building at Bismarck, after transferring its home office from Minneapolis.

December 1, 1890

Mayville State Teachers College opened.

December 3, 1738

Pierre Verendrye in first white exploration of North Dakota, arrived at the Mandan village.

December 3, 1920

Ivanhoe Chapter of DeMolay at Grand Forks, North Dakota's first chapter of the organizational the nation's 14th, received its "letters Temporary" preliminary to official chartering the next month.

December 15,1888

Maxwell Anderson, University of North Dakota graduate who became a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, was born at Atlantic, Pa.

December 15, 1890

Sioux leader Sitting Bull was killed on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

December 20, 1935

Governor William Langer acquitted at third trial on charges of illegal solicitation of political funds.

December 22, 1944

The Missouri Basin flood control and water development plan was approved by Congress, authorizing construction of Garrison Dam and other projects.

December 25, 1804

The American flag was raised over Fort Mandan by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, probably the first time that the flag floated over what was to become North Dakota soil.

December 28, 1930

State Capitol building destroyed by fire.

December 29, 1809

The first white child in what was to become North Dakota was born in Pembina.

December 29, 1807

The first white child of record born in North Dakota at Pembina to Mr. and Mrs. John Scart.

December 28, 1920

The State Capitol was destroyed by fire.

December 30, 1797

David Thompson, second white explorer of North Dakota Territory, arrived at Knife River. Made first map of territory.

December 30, 1797

The Hidatsa Indians were visited in their village by David Thompson, known as the world's greatest practical land geographer. Thompson was an employee of the Northwest Fur Company of Canada.