1. In 1846, Fort Pierre was established by fur trappers in what is now known as South Dakota. The fort served as a trading post for many years and played a significant role in the region's history.

2. On December 19, 1866, the Fetterman Massacre occurred near Fort Phil Kearny. A group of Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors killed Captain William Fetterman and his men, leading to increased tensions between Native Americans and settlers in the area.

3. In 1890, the Wounded Knee Massacre took place on December 19. The U.S. Army killed approximately 300 Lakota men, women, and children in the conflict, which was a crucial event in the history of the American Indian War.

4. On December 19, 1924, the South Dakota State Capitol Building was dedicated in Pierre. The impressive, domed structure took two years to construct and boasts impressive architecture.

5. The South Dakota Killer was executed on December 19, 2007. Elijah Page was sentenced to death for the brutal murder of a friend in 2000. He was the first person to receive the death penalty in the state since 1947.