1. In 1927, North Dakota Governor George F. Shafer proclaimed December 3rd as "Capital City Day" in honor of the 25th anniversary of the state's capital being moved from Jamestown to Bismarck. Celebrations included a parade and the unveiling of a memorial to former Governor John Burke.

2. On December 3, 1970, a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber carrying nuclear bombs crashed near Minot Air Force Base. The crew ejected safely, but the incident sparked concerns about the safety and handling of nuclear weapons in North Dakota.

3. North Dakota State University football player Carson Wentz was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year on December 3, 2015. Wentz went on to become a first-round draft pick for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles.

4. In 1982, North Dakota Governor Allen Olson declared a state of emergency due to severe winter weather and record-breaking cold temperatures. Fargo saw its lowest temperature on record at -38°F (-39°C) on December 3.

5. North Dakota's first statewide bird census took place on December 3, 1955, organized by the Audubon Society. Participants counted over 13,000 birds of 77 different species across the state, providing valuable data for conservation efforts.