1. In 1887, the University of North Dakota was established in Grand Forks. It was the first public university in the state and played an instrumental role in educating future generations of North Dakotans.

2. January 17, 1893 marks the founding of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association in Bismarck. The organization was formed to promote the interests of the state's livestock producers and has played a significant role in the development of the North Dakota cattle industry.

3. In 1924, the North Dakota State Capitol building in Bismarck was destroyed by fire. The blaze was caused by a faulty wiring system and resulted in the loss of many important historical documents and artifacts.

4. On January 17, 1961, North Dakota native and U.S. Air Force Officer Joe Engle piloted the X-15 rocket plane to a record altitude of 53.1 miles. The flight set a new record for the highest altitude ever achieved by a manned aircraft.

5. In 2013, North Dakota experienced a major oil boom that transformed the state's economy and brought thousands of new residents to the region. The boom was fueled by advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling techniques, which allowed companies to access previously untapped oil reserves in the Bakken formation. January 17, 2013 marks the date when North Dakota surpassed California as the third-largest oil-producing state in the country.