1. Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial Dedicated

On September 8, 1903, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial was dedicated at the site of the tragic event in 1890. The memorial honors those who lost their lives during the massacre and serves as a reminder of the significance of the event in South Dakota history.

2. Mount Rushmore Completed

September 8, 1939, marked the completion of the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The sculpture depicts the faces of former U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and is one of the most recognized landmarks in the United States.

3. South Dakota Becomes a State

September 8, 1889, is the day when South Dakota was granted statehood and officially joined the United States of America. The state's territory was previously part of the Dakota Territory before it was divided into North and South Dakota.

4. First B-1 Bomber Flies

On September 8, 1974, the first B-1 Bomber flew for the first time at the Rockwell International Assembly Plant in Palmdale, California. The B-1B is a supersonic strategic bomber used by the United States Air Force since its inception and continues to be an essential part of the military.

5. Mary Hart’s Birthday

South Dakota-native Mary Hart, the longtime host of the entertainment newsmagazine program “Entertainment Tonight,” was born on September 8, 1950. She was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2008 and is a well-known celebrity in the entertainment industry.