BISMARCK – South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard is bringing a historic pen to Bismarck for the daylong celebration today to celebrate North Dakota’s 125th year of statehood. The writing utensil is what President Benjamin Harrison used to sign the admission papers for North Dakota and South Dakota in 1889.
North Dakota and South Dakota both were granted statehood on Nov. 2, 1889, when Harrison signed the admission papers for the two states. North Dakota became the 39th state and South Dakota the 40th.
After the signing, Harrison handed the pen to a land agent named John Martin Ruggles. When Ruggles died in 1937, his son, Darwin, gave the pen to his neighbor, Adelaide Finsland, who in turn gave it to her son, Bob. In 1989, in commemoration of South Dakota’s centennial, the Finsland family donated the pen to the South Dakota State Historical Society. It is usually on display at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
The pen will be at the North Dakota Heritage Center, starting at 10:30 a.m. today. The bash at North Dakota’s State Capitol is the first of two “signature” events to celebrate North Dakota’s quasquicentennial.
South Dakota also is holding events this year to celebrate its 125th anniversary, including an event planned in the state capital of Pierre on Nov. 2.
Three more communities this week established committees to help celebrate South Dakota’s statehood anniversary.
Daugaard announced that committees have formed in Scotland, Plankinton and Menno. They’re planning various events in the lead-up to the Nov. 2 anniversary.
Dakotas turning 125
TODAY: Daylong ceremony in North Dakota including pen used to sign both states into the union.
NOV. 2: South Dakota’s celebration in Pierre.