/* Written  3:38 am  Mar 30, 1988 by klavan@aecom2 in silver:talk.bizarre */
/* ---------- "North Dakota DOES NOT EXIST !!!!!" ---------- */

  I have been told by VERY reliable sources that the alleged state of North
  Dakota does not exist!  I can prove it to you.  How many of you have ever
  been to North Dakota... See, none of you have ever been there, nor do you
  know anyone there. Its never mentioned in the news, and its just a ploy
  to give the U.S., an even number of stars on the flag.

  TOLD YA'

  dot siganature

  .__. ._. . .._ .._ . ._._ .   .._ ._. _.. _. __.. ._. _._ . _.. _. _.
  _. _._ __._ _. _._ .._ _. _.._ .  _._ ._ .__ .__. _. _._. __. _._ .__.
/* End of text from silver:talk.bizarre */

/* followed by 30-40 odd, very odd responses, none of them really able to
 * confirm the state's existence */

NORTH DAKOTA
The State that Usenet Forgot

- or -

Things you never wanted to know
about our 39½th state
but fearlessly asked.

North Dakota is alive and well and really doesn't give a damn if you've ever been there, heard anything about it or even believe it exists. Nestled snugly at the center of the continent (which, of course, makes an ideal location for the Coast Guard station at LaMoure), the arctic climate keeps the "riff-raff" out and that's the way the 650,000 odd North Dakotans like it.

Did you know ...?

• If North Dakota seceded from the Union, it would be the world's third strongest nuclear power. So be nice.

• In contrast, North Dakota is one of the most peace-loving states. "Dakota" is Sioux for "friend" or "ally". It is home to the beautiful International Peace Gardens on the Canadian border. There are hopes to build an International Peace Institute.

• Though usually called our 39th state, no one really knows that it isn't the 40th. Both North and South Dakota were signed in as states on the same day. The President covered the documents and shuffled them before signing them, so no one knows which became a state first. BTW, the state's centennial is next year -- I'd be happy to accept monetary gifts as a representative North Dakotan.

• North Dakota has the highest number of millionaires per capita than any other state. And not a yuppie to be found anywhere.

• North Dakota was the first state to complete its Interstate highway system. But then, there are only two Interstate highways going across its perfectly flat terrain ...

• Historically, North Dakota has been one of the country's most socialistic states. Even today, one of the state's major banks is the state-owned Bank of North Dakota.

• Custer shouldn't have left.

You know, the sad thing is I didn't have to look any of this up.

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