1. In 1890, the Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29th, just six days after December 23rd. This tragic event took place in the southwest corner of South Dakota and marked the end of the armed conflicts between the US Government and Native American tribes in the area. Over 200 Lakota were killed, including women and children.

2. On December 23rd, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an executive order establishing the Wind Cave National Game Preserve in South Dakota. This later became Wind Cave National Park, a popular destination for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts.

3. In 1927, the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, South Dakota produced its 50 millionth ounce of gold on December 23rd. This was an impressive feat for the mine, which ended up producing more gold than any other mine in the Western Hemisphere.

4. December 23rd, 1936, marked the opening of the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River in central South Dakota. At the time of its construction, it was the largest rolled earth dam in the world and provided much-needed electricity and flood control for the region.

5. On December 23rd, 1983, a small plane carrying South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow and seven others crashed near Dubuque, Iowa. Unfortunately, everyone on board was killed in the crash. Governor Janklow was a controversial figure in South Dakota politics and his death shocked the state.