2nd November: North Dakota Admission Day

Today is North Dakota Admission Day. Here are ten facts about North Dakota.

1. Of all the states in the USA, North Dakota is the least likely to be visited by tourists. However, the explorers Lewis and Clark spent more time there than anywhere else during their famous trip.
2. The capital is Bismarck (named after the German Chancellor in the hope that Germany would invest in their railways) and the largest city is Fargo. Since every incorporated area, be it a town, village or hamlet, is referred to as a city. Hence there is a city in North Dakota, Maza, with a population of just five people.
3. North Dakota was the 39th to join the Union. Both it and neighbouring South Dakota were admitted on the same day and both wanted to be first. The papers were shuffled so no-one would know which state signed up first, but thanks to alphabetical order, North Dakota was the first listed, whether it was first to sign or not.
4. North Dakota has had several nicknames, including Flickertail State, Roughrider State, and Peace Garden State.
5. The state symbols are as follows: state bird: Western meadowlark; state flower: wild prairie rose; state fish: Northern pike; state tree: American elm; state grass: Western Wheatgrass; state beverage: Milk; state dance: square dance; and state Horse: Nokota breed, which is Descended from Sioux Chief Sitting Bull's war ponies.
6. North Dakota grows more Sunflowers than any other state and produces more Honey than any other state.
7. It is illegal in North Dakota to sleep with your Shoes on or dance with your hat on. In Fargo, it's illegal to even be at a party where there is dancing wearing a hat. It is perfectly legal to shoot an Indian on horseback, provided you are in a covered wagon.
8. North Dakota has more churches per person than any other state and the highest percentage of population that regularly attend church.
9. There are approximately three times more cattle than people in North Dakota. Angus is the most popular variety.
10. Famous people from North Dakota include musician and bandleader Lawrence Welk, author Louis L’Amour, singer Peggy Lee, actress Angie Dickenson, and actor Josh Duhamel.