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One trip to North Dakota and you'll understand why it's known as the friendliest and safest state to visit. In fact, from agricultural products to quality of life - North Dakota is often at the top of the charts.
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Statehood
On March 2, 1861, President James Buchanan signed the bill creating the Dakota Territory, which originally included the area covered today by both Dakotas as well as Montana and Wyoming. The name was taken from that of the Dakota or Sioux Indian Tribe. Beginning in 1877, efforts were made to bring Dakota into the Union as both a single state and as two states. The latter was successful and on November 2, 1889, both North and South Dakota were admitted. President Benjamin Harrison went to great lengths to obscure the order in which the statehood proclamations were signed, so the exact order in which the two states entered is unknown. However, because of alphabetical position, North Dakota is often considered the 39th state.
Dakota is derived from the Sioux Indian word for "friend."
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Agricultural Rankings
North Dakota ranks number one in the U.S. in the production of: spring wheat, durum wheat, sunflowers, barley, all dry edible beans, pinto beans, canola, flaxseed, all dry edible peas, honey, lentils, oats and navy beans.
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| Population |
| State Population |
642,200 |
| Largest Cities |
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| Fargo |
90,599 |
| Bismarck |
55,532 |
| Grand Forks |
49,321 |
| Minot |
36,567 |
| Mandan |
16,718 |
| Dickinson |
16,010 |
| Jamestown |
15,527 |
| West Fargo |
14,940 |
| State Symbols |
| Beverage |
Milk |
| Bird |
Western Meadowlark |
| Coat of Arms |
Displayed for the first time by the National Guard at Camp Grafton on June 16, 1957 |
| Creed |
Written by Frank L. McVey |
| Dance |
Square Dance |
| Fish |
Northern Pike |
| Flag |
North Dakota's dark blue field displays a bald eagle holding an olive branch and a bundle of arrows in its claws. |
| Flower |
The Wild Prairie Rose (Rosa Blanda or Arkansana) has been identified as Rosa Pratincula in species. The flower sports five bright pink petals with a tight cluster of yellow stamens in the center. The Wild Prairie Rose grows along roadsides, in pastures and in native meadows. |
| Fossil |
Teredo Petrified Wood |
| Grass |
Western Wheatgrass |
| Great Seal |
The North Dakota Great Seal is the state's only symbol that is protected by state law (Section 54-02-01 of the North Dakota Century Code).
The description reads as follows:
A tree, the american elm, in the open field, the trunk of which is surrounded by three bundles of wheat; on the right a plow, anvil and sledge; on the left, a bow crossed with three arrows, and an Indian on horseback pursuing a buffalo toward the setting sun; the foliage of the tree arched by a half circle of forty-two stars, surrounded by the motto "Liberty and Union Now and Forever, One and Inseparable"; the words "Great Seal" at the top; the words "Great Seal" at the top; the words "State of North Dakota" at the bottom; "October 1st" on the left and "1889" on the right. |
| Honorary State Equine |
Nokota Horse |
| Language |
North Dakota joined other states in a nationwide movement to make English the official language |
| March |
Flickertail March |
| Motto |
"Liberty and Union Now and Forever, One and Inseparable."
Quoted from Daniel Webster's Reply to Hayne. |
| Nicknames |
Peace Garden State, Flickertail State, Roughrider State, Dakota |
| Song |
North Dakota Hymn with words by James W. Foley and music by Dr. C. S. Putnam |
| Capitol |
North Dakota's capital city is Bismarck.
The capitol building is commonly known as the "Skyscraper on the Prairie." The present-day North Dakota capitol was constructed in 1934 after a fire destroyed the original building. The capitol stands a towering 19 stories with a Moderne style architecture and Art Deco interior.
Tours are available of the capitol building. For tour schedules and additional history visit the Capitol web site. |
| Fruit |
Chokecherry |
| Tree |
American Elm |
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