1. North Dakota Statehood: August 16, 2019, marked the 130th anniversary of North Dakota's admission to the Union as the 39th state. The Dakota Territory was split in two on this day in 1889, with North Dakota and South Dakota becoming separate states.

2. Theodore Roosevelt's Visit: On August 16, 1910, former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt visited Bismarck, ND, and delivered a speech to a crowd of 5,000 people. He praised North Dakotans for their hard work and ingenuity in the face of adverse weather conditions, and also spoke on the importance of conservation efforts.

3. Minot Air Force Base: On August 16, 1957, the Minot Air Force Base was officially dedicated. The base is located approximately 13 miles north of Minot and is home to two wings of B-52 bombers and a squadron of missiles.

4. Fargo-Moorhead Tornado: On August 16, 1969, a massive tornado swept through the cities of Fargo, ND, and Moorhead, MN. The tornado killed one person and caused over $20 million in damage. It remains the most destructive tornado in the history of the Fargo-Moorhead area.

5. President Obama's Visit: On August 16, 2011, former U.S. President Barack Obama visited Mandan, ND, where he delivered a speech on economic growth and job creation. He highlighted North Dakota's strong economy, which had been fueled in large part by the state's oil boom.