1. The Dakota Territory was established on December 9, 1861. President James Buchanan signed a bill into law that created the new territory, which included present-day North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Montana and Wyoming.

2. The University of North Dakota was founded on December 9, 1883. The university is located in Grand Forks and is the oldest and largest university in the state.

3. On December 9, 1917, the worst train wreck in North Dakota history occurred near the town of New Rockford. A Great Northern Railway train collided with an empty grain train, killing 34 people and injuring many more.

4. The Minot Air Force Base was officially activated on December 9, 1957. The base is located near Minot and is home to several squadrons of B-52 bombers and other aircraft.

5. In 2019, North Dakota celebrated the 130th anniversary of statehood on December 9. The state was admitted to the Union in 1889, six years after the Dakota Territory was split into North Dakota and South Dakota.