Dakota Datebook

By Prairie PublicSociety & Culture

Dakota Datebook episodes

September 01, 2025 The Jingle Dance and Spanish Flu Pandemic
On this date in 1918, the Spanish Flu had reached North Dakota. The state’s first confirmed case was a U.S. Marine on leave in New Rockford. Within a week, 100 local cases were reported, along with two deaths.
4 min
August 29, 2025 August 29: A Historical Curiosity
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted a resolution authorizing the design of the new country’s flag. That resolution read: “Resolved: That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
3 min
August 28, 2025 August 28: Missing Suitcase in Theodore Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Campaign
In 1912, political fervor and interest swept the country over the presidential election. President Taft sought the Republican nomination, challenged by former President Theodore Roosevelt, who unexpectedly entered the race. Senator Robert LaFollette was yet another contender for the nomination.
3 min
August 27, 2025 August 27: For the Land and Its People
When the North Dakota Agriculture College was established in 1890, many North Dakota farmers were skeptical that “college boys” could help them improve their farms. But it didn’t take long for those college boys to win them over.
3 min
August 26, 2025 August 26: Dr. Blaine Amidon
On this day in 1992, the Dakota Clinic and Hospital in Fargo celebrated Dr. Blaine Amidon’s 50 years as an OB-GYN. The celebrated doctor had delivered an estimated 18,000 babies during his long career.
3 min
August 25, 2025 August 25: Spaghetti Safari
Pasta and safaris may seem like an odd combination but to the organizers of North Dakota’s “Spaghetti Safari,” it was the perfect opportunity to showcase the state’s wheat and durum industry. Their goal was to promote North Dakota products and connect with stakeholders and partners from across the country.
3 min
August 22, 2025 August 22: The Angel of the Battlefield
When the French and Austrian armies squared off in the 1859 Battle of Solferino, they fought with modern firearms and artillery. The casualties were horrific. Jean-Henri Dunant was stunned by the misery of wounded soldiers left on the battlefield without care.
3 min
August 21, 2025 August 21: Pembina County
When Europeans arrived in the area along the Pembina and Red Rivers in the 1600s, the land was already home to the Assiniboine and Lakota. They were later joined by the Chippewa, who migrated from the east and became the dominant tribe, pushing the others farther west.
3 min
August 20, 2025 Aug 20: Parking Meters (Part 2: The Ending)
Continuing our story about taxi warfare and parking meters on August 12, we now turn to their fraught ending in North Dakota.
4 min
August 19, 2025 August 19: Soap Box Derby
In 1934, children generally made their own entertainment. Sometimes it was informal, like jumping into a lake or stream, no lifeguards required. Sometimes it meant playing games with definite rules, like baseball or football. Kids divided themselves into teams and set their own boundaries as games were played in a backyard or open field, no adult supervision needed.
3 min

About Dakota Datebook

From the publisher's feed

Sitting Bull to Phil Jackson, cattle to prairie dogs, knoefla to lefse. North Dakota's legacy includes many strange stories of eccentric towns, war heroes, and various colorful characters. Hear all about them on Dakota Datebook, your daily dose of North Dakota history.