1. On March 17, 1885, the North Dakota territorial legislature approved the "Primary Election Law," which established the primary election system still used today. This law required that political parties hold primary elections to select their candidates for the general election, and it was considered a major reform in the state's political process.

2. March 17, 1966, was the day the North Dakota Capitol building was officially dedicated. The Capitol, located in Bismarck, is one of the most recognizable buildings in the state and houses the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, as well as the chambers of the North Dakota Senate and House of Representatives.

3. On March 17, 1941, North Dakota Governor John Moses signed into law a bill creating the North Dakota State Library, the mission of which was to provide library services to all residents of the state. Today, the State Library continues to provide support and resources to libraries throughout North Dakota.

4. March 17, 1979, marked the beginning of the Red River Flood, one of the worst natural disasters in North Dakota's history. Heavy snowfall and rapid spring runoff caused the Red River to overflow its banks, resulting in widespread flooding and significant damage to homes and businesses in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

5. On March 17, 2006, the North Dakota State University women's basketball team won its first NCAA tournament game in program history, defeating the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 74-68. The Bison went on to win two more tournament games before falling to the University of Maryland in the Sweet Sixteen.