North Dakota had been part of both the Minnesota Territory, the Missouri Territory, and the Nebraska Territory. Congress had in 1861 established Dakota Territory (which also included all of what is now South Dakota and parts of both Montana and Wyoming) and passed the Homestead Act in 1862. Czech, German, and Scandinavian emigrants came in increasing numbers.

More signs of settlement, in the Red River Valley and elsewhere, followed:

• The first newspaper in the area, The Frontier Scout, began in 1864.
• The Northern Pacific Railroad reached the Missouri in 1872, bringing with it all manner of work and settlement.

• The first telephones arrived in 1877.
• The first cattle ranch was established in 1878.
• A university and a college came along in 1883.
• What is now the state penitentiary opened in 1885.
• The Bank of Hamilton (the state's oldest bank) opened its doors in 1886.

North Dakota adopted its state constitution on Oct. 1, 1889. It became a state a month later, on Nov. 2, 1889, at the same time as South Dakota. Bismarck, established in 1883, was North Dakota's first capital.