1. On May 23, 1889, North Dakota was admitted as the 39th state in the United States. Residents had voted in favor of statehood in November of the previous year, and the achievement marked a significant milestone in the state's history.

2. May 23, 1980, marked the start of a five-day general strike in the city of Grand Forks. The strike was initiated by the local AFL-CIO chapter, and involved thousands of workers in a variety of industries. The strike ultimately ended in success for the workers involved, with improved wages and job security.

3. May 23, 1934, saw the formal groundbreaking for North Dakota's state capitol building in Bismarck. The building, completed in 1935, is an impressive example of neoclassical architecture, and is home to the state government today.

4. May 23, 1977, is remembered in North Dakota as the day when former state Governor William Guy gave his famous "rugged individualism" speech at the University of North Dakota's commencement ceremony. Guy's speech emphasized the importance of community and cooperation over individualism, and became a well-known example of the state's progressive political values.

5. On May 23, 2005, Bismarck resident Andy Schneider set a world record for the longest distance covered on a pogo stick in 24 hours. Schneider hopped 40.2 miles during his attempt, breaking the previous record by more than four miles. His achievement was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.