1. The town of Kenmare was founded on March 12, 1897. It was named after the birthplace of its founder, James S. Emigrant, in County Kerry, Ireland. The town was a hub for agriculture, especially wheat and barley production, and later became a center for oil exploration.
2. On March 12, 1918, North Dakota adopted a new state flag design. It features a blue field with a bald eagle spreading its wings, an eight-pointed star, and a red banner with the words "North Dakota" in gold. The flag was designed by a local artist named Dr. Lynn J. Frazier, who later became the state's governor.
3. The Great Blizzard of 1941 hit North Dakota on March 12, bringing heavy snow, high winds, and subzero temperatures. The blizzard caused widespread power outages and transportation disruptions, including the closure of major highways and railways. Several towns were cut off from the outside world for days.
4. Fargo-based radio station WDAY began broadcasting on March 12, 1922. It was one of the first radio stations in North Dakota and played a key role in bringing news, entertainment, and educational programs to rural areas of the state. Today, WDAY is part of the Forum Communications media group.
5. On March 12, 2020, North Dakota reported its first case of COVID-19. The patient was a man in his 60s who had recently traveled abroad. The news signaled the beginning of a pandemic that would have far-reaching impacts on the state's health, economy, and social life. As of 2021, North Dakota has reported over 100,000 cases and 1,400 deaths from COVID-19.