Legendary North Dakota Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mandan

The Mandan lived along the Missouri River within both North and South Dakota. They had a settled culture with villages where hunting bison and agriculture were central to daily life. The Mandan were located within the western part of North Dakota, however several other tribes like the Sioux, Chippewa, Hidatsa and Arikara, were also located within the state.

Source: Wikipedia.org

Answer: November 2, 1889

North Dakota joined the union on November 2, 1889. Before this, North Dakota was a part of the Dakota Territory and for this reason South Dakota also joined the union the same day as North Dakota. To dissuade rivalry, President Harrison directed the papers to be shuffled so no one would know which Dakota was signed into the union first. North Dakota, however, is known as the 39th state to enter the Union just because it alphabetically comes before South Dakota.

Answer: Red River

The Red River forms around Wahpeton, ND, travels north through the Red River Valley into Manitoba and finally empties into Lake Winnipeg. It is often referred to as the Red River of the North to specify itself from the Red River in Texas. The Red River is one of the longest rivers in the United States to run north. Running a total of 318 miles, only the Bighorn River in running in Wyoming and Montana is longer running 336 miles.

Answer: Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt came to North Dakota in September 1883 hunting bison. He loved the rugged badlands of North Dakota and ended up purchasing land for a ranch near Medora, ND. He came back to stay in 1884 after the death of his mother and his wife.

He ran his ranch and worked as a deputy sheriff for several years before returning back to the east. After Roosevelt's death, North Dakota's badlands were explored in the hopes of establishing a park. The modern Theodore Roosevelt National Park includes three separate areas of North Dakota badlands, including Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch.

Answer: International Peace Garden

The International Peace Garden was established in 1932 and encompasses land within North Dakota and Manitoba. It is comprised of formal gardens which include more than 155,000 flowers, freshwater lakes, waterfalls, and both hiking and driving trails.

The International Peace Garden is located within an international boundary between America and Canada so identification is not needed to enter this garden. Yet visitors must go through customs once they leave the garden in order to gain access to either the United States or Canada.

Answer: Lake Sakakawea

Lake Sakakawea was named after Sacagawea, who accompanied Louis and Clark on their expedition, which included traveling through North Dakota. Sakakawea is the common spelling of her name within North Dakota because it is the spelling derived from the Hidatsa tribe.

It is believed that Sakakawea lived in a Hidatsa village near present-day Washburn, ND when she was young. This is a man-made lake created by the Garrison Dam.

Answer: Buffalo

The National Buffalo Museum is located in Jamestown, ND and has been the home of White Cloud, a female albino buffalo born on July 10, 1996. White Cloud calved three other albino bison. On May 31, 2008 another albino buffalo was born from the existing brown herd named Dakota Legend.

Answer: Fargo

"Fargo" was the name of Joel and Ethan Coen's murder mystery. It starred Frances McDormand as a pregnant police chief who investigates several murders. Though named "Fargo", the movie was shot completely within Minnesota. This movie is noted for the use of a wood chipper which can be seen in Fargo's visitor center. The city of Fargo, North Dakota is the state's biggest city.

Answer: Flooding

North Dakota has received national attention for the flooding of several cities, including Fargo, Grand Forks, Wahpeton, and Minot. Fargo flooded in 1997, and in 2009 had a record crest at 40.84 feet. Grand Forks also flooded in 1997, but had the added tragedy of a fire breaking out within its water logged city. Wahpeton flooded in 2011. Minot flooded in 2011 with the Souris River reaching record-breaking flood levels, causing the evacuation of over 11,000 residents.

Answer: Oil

An oil boom began in the western part of North Dakota around the city of Williston. Brakken formations are found within this region and hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" is used to retrieve the oil. Fracking uses drilling plus pressurized water to create new avenues, so previously inaccessible oil can be drilled.

This boom contributed to the reduction of unemployment within the state. It has also created a billion dollar surplus within the state budget (2011 data).