Author’s Note: Research is credited to National Day Calendar, U.S. Department of the Interior and NDSU webpage

Bison are a well-known symbol in North Dakota. We are the home of the world’s largest buffalo in Jamestown, ND, there are wild herds thriving in Western North Dakota and, of course, we are proud to be the NDSU Bison here in Fargo.

The bison was named the national mammal of the United States back in 2016 and has been granted their own national holiday, celebrated the first Saturday in November. This year, National Bison Day falls on Nov. 2, which also happens to be North Dakota’s 135th birthday. 

To clear up a common misunderstanding, “bison” and “buffalo” are two terms used for the same animal. “Bison” is just the scientific term. It is believed that the word “buffalo” is derived from the French word “boeuf” which means “beef”. 

The largest amount of bison in North America can be found in Yellowstone National Park. As of 2021, there were over 5,400 bison reported to call the park home.

The preservation of the native bison herds can be credited back to President Teddy Roosevelt at the end of the 1800s.

While Roosevelt originally enjoyed hunting the animals in the Dakota Territory (present-day North and South Dakota), he returned to his home in New York with a change of heart from his time in the Midwest. He became an advocate for conservation of wildlife and untouched land left over from the westward expansion. 

In 1905, he formed the American Bison Society to save the bison that were slowly disappearing. His efforts paid off; bison now reside in all fifty states, whether it be in national parks, refuges or on privately owned land.

So why does NDSU claim the bison as our mascot?

At the start of NDSU athletics in 1890, the teams were known as the “Farmers”. At the turn of the century, they became the “Aggies”.

By 1922, NDSU head coach and athletic director Stan Borleske wanted a change. His football players weren’t fans of being “Aggies,” so, in honor of the Bison that were native to the North Dakota prairies, and due to their powerful stance and “thundering herds”, the new mascot became official and the name has stuck for over a century.

Bison or buffalo, these mammals have plenty of reason for all Americans to give them recognition. On Nov. 2, for both the state of North Dakota and for the bison, they have well deserved a national holiday all their own.