1. On August 4, 1914, the first North Dakota Volunteer Infantry regiment was called to federal service in response to the outbreak of World War I. The unit, also known as the "Fighting First," was one of the earliest to mobilize for the war effort.

2. August 4, 1956, marks the date of the deadliest tornado in North Dakota history. The F5 tornado tore through the town of Fargo, causing widespread devastation and claiming the lives of 12 people.

3. On August 4, 1936, the Great Plains region experienced one of the worst heat waves in U.S. history. Temperatures reached triple digits in North Dakota and several other states, leading to widespread crop failures and devastating conditions for farmers and ranchers.

4. August 4, 1903, was the day that legendary North Dakota lawman "Wild Bill" Hickok died in Deadwood, South Dakota. Hickok is best known for his exploits as a gunfighter and marshal during the American West's frontier era.

5. Finally, on August 4, 1987, North Dakota became the first state in the country to ban smoking in public buildings. The law, which was passed as a response to concerns about secondhand smoke, set the standard for similar legislation in other states and around the world.