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8/19/2013: William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States, took office in January of 1909. He rode into the White House on a wave of popular support, and became known for his agenda on domestic reform, hoping to improve civil service practices, as well as the postal service. However, soon into his presidency, he gained notoriety for proposing a federal income tax to Congress in June of 1909; Congress approved the resolution of the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution a few weeks later, allowing for just such a tax. Amidst the furor and excitement caused by the proposal, most Ameri...

7/9/2013: One of the earliest Red River Valley settlers was also one of North Dakota’s most interesting and little-known characters.

4/3/2013: Few North Dakotans have likely heard of Jefferson Kidder, although most have heard of Kidder County, which was named for the 19th century North Dakotan. Kidder’s many and varied roles ranged from Lieutenant Governor to State Senator, and ran from his native Vermont to the wilds of Minnesota and Dakota Territory. His son was killed in action under Custer, and his grandson went on to become one of the greatest lawmen of the Old West, but Kidder himself made his name in politics.

9/7/2011: Citizen delegates from Dakota Territory held the first Constitutional Convention in Sioux Falls on this date in 1883. The purpose of the convention was to frame a state constitution that would justify Dakota’s admittance as a state, or two. As it turned out, whether or not Dakota Territory should be divided into two separate states became the focus of debate during the convention.

6/1/2009: If you're familiar with your territorial governors, you probably remember Dakota's seventh executive, Nehemiah Ordway, as the one who successfully pushed for the relocation of the territorial capitol from Yankton to Bismarck. Or, you may remember him as the corrupt governor removed from office for questionable political practices.