North, South Dakota Celebrate 126 Years of Statehood

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota and South Dakota are celebrating their 126th birthdays.

The two states entered the Union on Nov. 2, 1889. President Benjamin Harrison signed the admission papers for the two states on that day. North +Dakota+ became the 39th state, and South Dakota the 40th.

Legend says President Harrison shuffled the statehood papers before signing them.