1. On April 17, 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led their Corps of Discovery expedition through what is now North Dakota. This was a significant moment in North Dakota history, as the expedition helped expand American knowledge of the frontier and opened the way for future settlement of the region.

2. April 17, 1976 was a historic day for North Dakota's music scene. The Fargo-based band The Bluegrass Rebels played their first show at the University of North Dakota's Memorial Union. The group went on to become one of the most beloved bluegrass bands in the state, playing festivals and shows for more than a decade.

3. North Dakota's only national park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, was officially designated on April 17, 1947. The park, which spans more than 70,000 acres and three separate units, is named after President Theodore Roosevelt, who is famous for his love of the American West and his conservation efforts.

4. On April 17, 1883, the Northern Pacific Railway laid its final spike near Independence Creek in what is now Dunn County, North Dakota. This event marked the completion of one of the most important transportation routes in the region, connecting the Pacific coast to the Great Lakes and opening up new opportunities for trade and commerce.

5. April 17, 1968 was a momentous day in the history of North Dakota's civil rights struggle. On that day, the Fair Housing Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The act prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, national origin, religion, or gender. The law helped drive significant changes in North Dakota and across the country, paving the way for greater equality and opportunity.