1. In 1937, the Black Blizzard hit North Dakota on May 12, which was a severe dust storm that lasted for hours, caused by strong winds blowing through the dry soil of the Great Plains. The storm resulted in significant damage to farmland and crops, which exacerbated the effects of the Great Depression.

2. The Dakota Territory was officially established on May 12, 1861, by the signing of the Organic Act by US President James Buchanan. The territory encompassed present-day North and South Dakota, as well as parts of Montana and Wyoming.

3. May 12 is also the birthdate of Lawrence Welk, a famous musician and bandleader who was born in Strasburg, North Dakota, in 1903. Welk is best known for his long-running TV show, "The Lawrence Welk Show," which aired from 1955 to 1982 and featured "champagne music."

4. In 2004, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center opened in Washburn, North Dakota, on May 12. The center is dedicated to the exploration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and features exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays.

5. The North Dakota Nurses Association was founded on May 12, 1909, in Jamestown, North Dakota. The organization was created to advocate for nursing education, advance the profession of nursing, and provide resources and support for nurses working in the state.