1. In 1889, North Dakota became the 39th state in the United States. This was the same day as South Dakota became a state, as they were both part of the Dakota Territory before being split into two separate states.

2. In 1908, the first airplane flight took place in North Dakota. Ralph Johnstone, a renowned aviator, flew a glider in Fargo, North Dakota. This was only five years after the Wright Brothers' historic flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

3. In 1931, the first Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in Bismarck, North Dakota. The parade, which featured floats, bands, and other entertainment, has since become an annual tradition in the city.

4. In 1955, the Minot, North Dakota Air Force Base suffered a catastrophic explosion. The explosion was caused by a B-52 bomber carrying nuclear bombs catching fire and crashing into the runway. The accident was one of the worst in U.S. Air Force history, with numerous deaths and injuries, and significant damage to the base.

5. In 2016, the largest single donation in North Dakota State University history was announced. Cargill, Inc. donated $5 million to the university to help fund research in the fields of food science and engineering. The donation has enabled the university to expand its research capabilities and attract top talent to the field.