1. North Dakota's first forest fire lookout tower was established on August 20, 1927, on Strawberry Mountain in the Turtle Mountains. The tower was built to help prevent forest fires and was manned by observers who worked in shifts throughout the fire season.

2. On August 20, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Garrison Dam in North Dakota. The dam created Lake Sakakawea, the state's largest lake, and helped alleviate the severe flooding problems that had plagued the area for many years.

3. Theodore Roosevelt visited North Dakota on August 20, 1906. During his visit, he gave a speech at the North Dakota State Fair in Fargo, where he spoke about the importance of conservation and preserving America's natural resources.

4. On August 20, 1889, the first issue of the Bismarck Tribune was published. The newspaper quickly became the leading source of news and information for North Dakotans and is still in publication today.

5. The University of North Dakota was founded on August 20, 1883, in Grand Forks. The university is the oldest and largest in the state and has produced many notable alumni, including six U.S. senators and two astronauts.