1. On October 11, 1898, the city of Minot experienced one of the most destructive fires in its history. Although no lives were lost, the fire destroyed nearly half of the downtown area, including numerous buildings and businesses.

2. In 1910, North Dakota's first football game was played on October 11 between the University of North Dakota and the Fargo Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University). The game ended in a 0-0 tie.

3. On October 11, 1928, President Herbert Hoover spoke at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot as part of his campaign for the presidency. Hoover went on to win the election and served as president from 1929 to 1933.

4. October 11, 1935, was the first day of operation for the world's largest lignite coal-fired power plant, located near Stanton, North Dakota. The plant, known as the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, is still in operation today and produces synthetic natural gas and other products from lignite coal.

5. On October 11, 1967, the first episode of the popular radio program "Prairie Home Companion" was broadcast from the World Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota. The show's creator, Garrison Keillor, grew up in Anoka, Minnesota, just across the border from North Dakota, and often featured stories and songs from the area on the show.