Which state did North Dakota enter the union alongside?

North Dakota entered the union on November 2, 1889, at the same time as South Dakota. Both states were part of a larger movement to organize the Dakota Territory, which was split into two distinct states. When North Dakota was admitted, it earned the distinction of being the first state in the alphabetical order of state names, leading to its designation as the 39th state.

The admission of both states was driven by population growth and political factors, as well as the desire for local governance closer to the rapidly growing communities in these regions. The historical context of this admission is significant, as it marked the final separation of Dakota Territory into North and South Dakota, which had been unified since its establishment.

Nebraska, Montana, and Washington did not enter the union at the same time as North Dakota; rather, each of these states was admitted in different years, reflecting their unique development and statehood processes. This helps clarify why South Dakota is the correct choice as the state that entered the union alongside North Dakota.