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Why Is North Dakota Called the Peace Garden State?

Marjorie McAtee
By
Updated May 17, 2024
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North Dakota is most likely known as "The Peace Garden State" because it partially houses the International Peace Garden, which overlaps the international border between the United States (US) and Canada. Part of the garden is in the US state of North Dakota, while part of it is in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The garden was established in 1932 to commemorate the lasting state of peaceful affairs between these two nations. The state's department of motor vehicles is credited with stimulating the dedication of "The Peace Garden State" as North Dakota's official state nickname, since they placed this slogan on the state's car license plates in 1956. Residents of the state liked the sound of "The Peace Garden State" so much that North Dakota's legislative body designated this the official state nickname one year later, in 1957.

Like most other US states, North Dakota also has some unofficial state nicknames. These include "The Roughrider State," a slogan which pays homage to the Roughriders, a cavalry brigade that fought with Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War. Many of these riders were ranchers from North Dakota, hence the state's sense of pride in the name and in the brigade itself. Some have lobbied to officially change the state's nickname to "The Roughrider State," but these initiatives have failed.

Another unofficial state nickname for North Dakota is "The Flickertail State." This nickname refers to the flickertail squirrel, or Richardson squirrel, a species prevalent in North Dakota. "The Peace Garden State," however, remains North Dakota's official state nickname, and is perhaps a reflection of the strong pride residents of this state feel in their status as the home of the International Peace Garden.

The International Peace Garden contains at least 150,000 varieties of flowering plants, as well as lakes, hiking trails, and a chapel. The garden also houses a memorial to the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. This memorial has been constructed from some of the World Trade Center's original girders. The garden also boasts a Peace Tower, which is about 120 feet (36.6 meters) tall and is made from concrete. The garden's Peace Poles, of which there are seven, bear the words "May Peace Prevail" translated into about 28 world languages.

America Explained is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Marjorie McAtee
By Marjorie McAtee
Marjorie McAtee, a talented writer and editor with over 15 years of experience, brings her diverse background and education to everything she writes. With degrees in relevant fields, she crafts compelling content that informs, engages, and inspires readers across various platforms. Her ability to understand and connect with audiences makes her a skilled member of any content creation team.
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Marjorie McAtee
Marjorie McAtee
Marjorie McAtee, a talented writer and editor with over 15 years of experience, brings her diverse background and education to everything she writes. With degrees in relevant fields, she crafts compelling content that informs, engages, and inspires readers across various platforms. Her ability to understand and connect with audiences makes her a skilled member of any content creation team.
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