Native Americans
Humans have lived on the land of North Dakota for thousands of years. Several Native American tribes existed in the area even before the arrival of Europeans. These tribes included the Mandan, Arikara, and Hidatsa. The most dominant of these tribes were the Mandan, who lived on the banks of the Missouri River.
They hunted buffaloes and grew crops such as corn, beans, and squash. They lived in domed earthen huts and actively traded with other tribes in the area.
Information about North Dakota State:
| Capital | Bismarck |
| Population | 779,091 (Source: 2022 U.S. Census) |
| Major Cities | Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot |
| Borders | Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Canada |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $73,267.1 million (2022 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis) |
| Key Industries | Agriculture including barley, wheat, oats, corn, beans, sugar beets, and oilseeds Mining of petroleum, natural gas, and coal Food processing, technology, farming equipment, and bank |
Flag of North Dakota State:
Europeans Arrive
When Robert de La Salle claimed much of the land west of the Mississippi in 1682, France claimed it. The first European to seriously explore North Dakota lands was the French fur trader Pierre de la Verlandry in 1738. He also established trade with the village of Mandan on the Missouri River.
Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, the United States purchased most of North Dakota from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase. President Thomas Jefferson sent explorers Lewis and Clark to learn about and map the new area. Lewis and Clark he entered North Dakota in the fall of 1804.
To survive the winter, they built Fort Mandan on the Missouri River and stayed there until spring when they could continue their journey. During the winter they met with the Mandan chieftains. They also met French trader Toussaint Charbonneau and Shoshone woman Sacagawea. Sacagawea later acted as Lewis and Clark’s guide and interpreter.
North Dakota State Symbols
- North Dakota State Nickname: Peace Garden State
- North Dakota State Slogan: Legendary
- North Dakota State Motto: Liberty and union, now and forever: one and inseparable
- North Dakota State flower: Wild Prairie Rose
- North Dakota State bird: Western Meadowlark
- North Dakota State fish: Northern pike
- North Dakota State tree: American Elm
- North Dakota State mammal: Nokota horse
- North Dakota State foods: Sugar Beet
Early Settlers
Settlers from the eastern United States began moving to North Dakota in the early 19th century. The first settlement he established in Pembina in 1812. However, it wasn’t until the Homestead Act of 1862 that people actually began moving to the area.
As settlers increased, Native Americans were displaced from their land. This led to fighting and warfare between the U.S. military and Native Americans. Ultimately, Native Americans were forced to move to reservations.
The Geography of North Dakota State:
- Total Size of North Dakota: 68,976 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
- Geographical Low Point of North Dakota: Red River at 750 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Pembina (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Geographical High Point of North Dakota: White Butte at 3,506 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Slope (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Central Point of North Dakota: Located in Sheridan County approx. 5 miles southwest of McClusky (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Counties of North Dakota: 53 (source: National Association of Counties)
- Bodies of Water of North Dakota: Missouri River, Red River, Sheyenne River, James River, Lake Sakakawea, Devil’s Lake, Lake Oahe
Becoming a State
In 1861, North Dakota became part of the Dakota Territory, which includes parts of present-day North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. North Dakota continued to grow with the introduction of railroads in his 1870s and his 1880s. North Dakota joined the Union on November 2, 1889.
It was recorded at the same time as South Dakota. No one knows whether North Dakota will be the 39th or 40th state, because President Benjamin Harrison kept secret which document he signed first. Alphabetically before South Dakota, she is usually recognized as the 39th state.
Famous People of North Dakota State:
| NAMES | PROFESSIONS |
| Lawrence Welk | TV host and music conductor |
| Sacagawea | Native American guide for Lewis and Clark |
| Lute Olson | College basketball coach |
| Roger Maris | Professional baseball player |
| Peggy Lee | Singer and actress |
| Louis L’Amour | Author of westerns |
| Josh Duhamel | Actor |
| Angie Dickinson | Actress |
| Warren Christopher | U.S. Secretary of State |
| James Buchli | Astronaut |
Interesting Facts of North Dakota State:
North Dakota grows more sunflowers than any other US state.
Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota.
North Dakota was the first state to complete part of the interstate highway system.
The name Dakota comes from the name of the Native Americans who lived there. It means ‘friend’ or ‘alliance’. The nickname comes from the International Gardens of Peace on the border of Canada and North Dakota.
The official state drink is milk.
People thought the state sounded too cold with “Northern” in the name and tried to simply rename it Dakota.
The National Buffalo Museum is located in Jamestown. There is a water buffalo statue that is 26 feet tall and 45 feet long.
Timeline Overview:
1682 – Robert de La Salle claims most of North Dakota to France.
1738 – French fur trader Pierre de la Vélandry visits the country and meets with the Mandans.
1803 – The United States purchases land as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
1804 – Lewis and Clark build Fort Mandan and winter in North Dakota. They meet Sacagawea.
1812 – A Scottish settlement is founded near Pembina.
1818 – North Dakota becomes part of the Missouri Territory.
1828 – Fort Union is founded by the American Fur Company.
1837 – A smallpox outbreak kills most of the Mandan Indians.
1861 – Dakota Territory is established.
1863 – Most of the land is released for development.
1871 – The City of Fargo is founded.
1883 – Bismarck becomes the capital of the territory.
1885 – The American bison is nearly extinct.
1889 – North Dakota becomes her 39th state.
1915 – The Nonpartisan League (NPL) is founded by Arthur Townley to help small farmers.
1951 – Oil is discovered near Tioga.
1960 – Completion of Garrison Dam creates Lake Sakawea.
1997 – The Red River Gorge floods, destroying much of the city of Grand Forks.