Discover the Hidden Gems: Top 20 Fun Facts About North Dakota You Never Knew!

1. Undecided Dakota Admission

In the ultimate game of "eeny, meeny, miny, moe," President Benjamin Harrison left historians scratching their heads over which Dakota state was actually admitted first: North Dakota, often dubbed the 39th state, and South Dakota, the alleged 40th, both became the newest US kids on the block on November 2, 1889. But the signing order remains as elusive as the invisible ink used by Nicolas Cage in "National Treasure": Harrison covered the proclamations and shuffled them like a card trick before signing, thus guaranteeing their twin status while leaving their birth order a perplexing riddle.
Source => grandforksherald.com

2. Coal & Wind Energy Combo

In the land of coal-hearted energy and wind whisperers, where power plays come in both dark and breezy varieties: North Dakota, the underdog state, reigns as the fifth-largest coal producer in the U.S., boasting 5% of total production and the world's largest known deposit of lignite. The state's tasty electric cocktail saw 57% of its electricity generated by coal-fired plants in 2021, while wind energy chimed in with a breezy 34% contribution, making it the sixth most wind-driven state in the nation.
Source => eia.gov

Discover the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota - not only a quirky tourist attraction, but also a top-rated venue for entertainment and sports events. Curious about its unique corn-based decorations? 🌽🏀

=> Fun Facts about South-Dakota

3. Freezing Cold, Spoiled Milk

In North Dakota, their milkshakes don't bring all the cows to their double-digit subzero zone – because their milk won't freeze in those wicked winters! Here's the cold hard truth: North Dakota endures extreme temperature shifts, from over 90°F in the summer to well below freezing in the winter, yet despite these frigid conditions, milk won't freeze but rather spoils. Fun fact: the highest temperature recorded in the state was a sizzling 121°F back in 1936!
Source => gf.nd.gov

4. Extreme Temperature Swings

In the game of weather roulette, there's always that one person who just can't make up their mind: Cue North Dakota! This Upper Midwest state often swings between the deep freeze of Winterfell and the scorching Saharan summers: Boasting a jaw-dropping 181°F temperature variation, North Dakota claims the title of third-largest temperature difference in the U.S., with lows plummeting to -60°F and highs sizzling at 121°F.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Bird Paradise Refuge

Feeling "Salyery" about your geography trivia game lag? Here's a tidbit that'll ruffle some feathers in the best way: North Dakota's J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge is not only the largest in the state at a whopping 57,800 acres, but it's also a sanctuary for countless plant and animal species, including majestic birds like owls, eagles, and geese, all nesting within its stunning sandhills, prairies, marshes, and riverscapes.
Source => onlyinyourstate.com

6. World's Largest Buffalo Monument

If bison could party, they'd surely pick North Dakota for their wild rumpus: The state boasts the world's largest Buffalo monument in Jamestown, towering at an impressive 26 feet tall and weighing a hefty 60 tons.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Sitting Bull's Wild Horses

Who needs a trusty steed when you've got Sitting Bull's war ponies running wild? North Dakota has its own "mane" attraction: The Nokota horse, North Dakota's honorary state equine, is believed to be descended from Sioux Chief Sitting Bull's war ponies, with some still roaming free in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, while the Nokota Horse Conservancy works to preserve and promote this unique breed.
Source => ndtourism.com

8. Enchanted Highway Sculptures

In North Dakota, the dating scene among bucks, does, and trout is not an exclusively private affair: visitors can join in the fun along the Enchanted Highway, a 32-mile stretch graced with giant metal sculptures of these animals! Measuring up to 75-feet-tall, these towering figures – which also include a 40-foot rooster – greet motorists from Gladstone's Geese in Flight all the way to Regent's Enchanted Castle, where a royal welcome awaits.
Source => ndtourism.com

9. Fargo Film Festival Fun

Hold onto your popcorn and grab a front-row seat, as we take a dizzying dive into the roaring world of North Dakotan cinema: the Fargo Film Festival dominates the marquee as the region's largest annual fundraiser for the historic Fargo Theatre, backdropping an eclectic mix of films, thrilling panel discussions, and honoring the brightest stars of the screen with awards like Best Picture, which went to "JessZilla" in 2023, while Urara Takano clinched the Best Actress title for her role in "The Voice Actress," and even featuring rapid-fire entertainment with their offbeat 2-Minute Movie Contest.
Source => fargofilmfestival.org

10. Highest Graduation Rates

In the land where bison may very well be the math tutors: North Dakota proudly boasts the country's highest graduation rate, with a whopping 90% or more of its public school students strolling across the stage and into a bright future, thanks to a rock-solid focus on math and reading proficiency in its many esteemed educational institutions.
Source => publicschoolreview.com

11. Deer Population Dilemma

Oh deer, what happened to the antlered party in North Dakota? The once-thriving deer scene must've hit some poetic fawndom's end! But don't worry, there may be a sequel coming soon: North Dakota's Game and Fish Department saw a dip in deer licenses to around 69,000 in 2020, but they're optimistic about a population rebound, contingent on maintaining quality habitats for these white-tailed VIPs of the animal kingdom.
Source => gf.nd.gov

12. Snowy Williston Winters

Winter is coming, and in Williston, North Dakota, they're singing "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" more often than a marathon of Frozen on repeat: With an annual snowfall of 44 inches, Williston enjoys more frosty fun than most places in North Dakota, offering winter enthusiasts an icy paradise for skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking adventures!
Source => bestplaces.net

13. Towering Sunflower Statue

Who needs the Eiffel Tower when you've got a giant sunflower that puts all other blooms to shame?: North Dakota not only reigns supreme as the top producer of sunflowers in the United States, but it's also home to a towering 30-foot-tall sunflower statue in Rugby, built in 1978 to celebrate their illustrious title as the "Sunflower State," where visitors can climb the flower for vista-seekers and snap-worthy panoramas.
Source => statista.com

14. Bison Shuffle Dance

Whoever said you can't teach an old bison new tricks has clearly never been to Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Within the park's North and South Units, more than 3,752 bison contribute to a massive, coordinated "shuffle," where they're gently guided through facilities to be measured, weighed, and implanted with microchips for monitoring, all in the name of maintaining genetic diversity and environmental balance. Now that's some sophisticated ungulate choreography!
Source => nps.gov

15. International Peace Garden

Where international friendships blossom and ticklish floral clocks chime in harmony: The International Peace Garden in North Dakota is home to acres of beautiful flora, fostering peace and unity among nations with its attractions like sunken gardens, peaceful chapels, and a gift shop for your inner peacenik.
Source => peacegarden.com

16. Jamestown Buffalo Giant

In the land of bison that's really nice on, there exists a monument so big, it makes all other buffaloes feel a bit... meh: Behold the world's largest buffalo sculpture, which graces Jamestown, North Dakota with its 26-foot frame of 60-ton dignity since 1959.
Source => ndtourism.com

17. Top-Notch Drone Education

Who needs Maverick and Goose when you've got the UAS whiz kids at the University of North Dakota? *Cue a lively rendition of "Highway to the Danger Zone":* UND is renowned for its comprehensive Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Aviation degree, making it the first-ever four-year program to receive AABI accreditation and a spot among the FAA's Collegiate Training Initiative. With cutting-edge research in GPS and DAA development, UND's drone education is soaring to new heights!
Source => und.edu

18. World's Largest Scrap Metal Art

We're not playing Twister here, but you will find metal pheasants, deer, and grasshoppers taking over a 32-mile stretch of Enchanted Highway: This peculiar North Dakota attraction is the world's largest scrap metal sculpture collection, made by local artist Gary Greff and inspired by the state's wildlife and history. The Guinness Book of World Records even recognizes the "Geese in Flight" sculpture as the largest of its kind, and around 6,000 tourist cars flock annually to witness these metallic marvels, which receive some state funding for their upkeep.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

19. Mighty Potato Kingdom

In a land where potatoes aren't small fry, but rather the king of the crop: North Dakota's Black Gold Farms reigns over a vast and nutritious empire, spreading its russet-colored influence across several states! Based in Grand Forks, Black Gold Farms not only champions the farming culture of North Dakota, but also utilizes the latest agricultural technology to ensure fresh and healthy produce makes its way from farm to table.
Source => blackgoldfarms.com

20. Safest Small-Town Escapes

Move over, Mayberry! The wild, wild west just got mild and mild: North Dakota's top 10 safest cities, such as Oakes, Hazen, and Stanley, boast crime rates well below state and national averages. In fact, these peaceful burgs report a meager 1.5 or fewer violent crimes per 1,000 people, with nary a murder, rape, or robbery in sight. What's more, their property crime rates average a mere 5.8 incidents per 1,000 denizens. So for those seeking small-town safety, North Dakota's got a spot just for you!
Source => safewise.com