On this date in 1909, North Dakota faced a major change as a new law had just gone into effect that meant “forty rod whiskey” – and other adulterated consumables – were now a thing of the past. Professor E.F. Ladd of the North Dakota Agricultural College had helped write the pure food and drug law. It called for the elimination of dangerous additives. There were now penalties for anyone making or selling food that didn’t meet legal standards. That included liquor.