Today In History
5 Fun Facts About February 11 In South Dakota History
1. In 1861, Dakota Territory was established by the United States Congress. This included what is now South Dakota and North Dakota, as well as parts of Montana and Wyoming. 2. On February 11, 1887, President Grover Cleveland signed the Dawes Act into law. The act called for the breakup...
5 Fun Facts About February 10 In South Dakota History
1. In 1933, the famous outlaw John Dillinger was captured by the FBI in Tucson, Arizona. However, it was a group of South Dakota law enforcement officials who helped to identify Dillinger and his gang as they passed through the state earlier that year. 2. In 1942, the small town...
5 Fun Facts About February 9 In South Dakota History
1. In 1925, the state of South Dakota established a state park system. Today, the state has 13 state parks that visitors can explore, each with its own unique attractions such as hiking trails, lakes, and wildlife. 2. On February 9, 1978, the world-famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was officially recognized...
5 Fun Facts About February 8 In South Dakota History
1. On February 8, 1858, the Dakota Territory was established. The territory encompassed what is now North and South Dakota, as well as parts of Montana and Wyoming. It was later divided into separate states in 1889. 2. In 1887, the Dawes Act was passed, which aimed to assimilate Native...
5 Fun Facts About February 7 In South Dakota History
1. In 1887, the South Dakota Agricultural College (now South Dakota State University) was established in Brookings. It was the state's first public land-grant university. 2. On February 7, 1895, the South Dakota State Legislature created the State Historical Society. The organization is responsible for preserving and promoting the history...
5 Fun Facts About February 6 In South Dakota History
1. The Indian Wars officially ended in South Dakota on February 6, 1891, with the surrender of the Lakota tribe at Fort Keogh. This marked the end of a long and bloody conflict between the United States government and the Native American tribes of the Great Plains. 2. On February...
5 Fun Facts About February 5 In South Dakota History
1. On February 5, 1936, the South Dakota State Capitol was officially dedicated. The building took four years to construct and cost approximately $2 million. It remains an iconic landmark in the capital city of Pierre. 2. February 5, 1919, is the date when South Dakota ratified the 18th Amendment...
5 Fun Facts About February 4 In South Dakota History
1. In 1878, a severe blizzard swept across South Dakota, killing hundreds of people and leaving many more trapped in their homes for days. Known as the "Great Dakota Storm," it was one of the deadliest blizzards in US history. 2. On February 4, 1885, the town of Deadwood burned...
5 Fun Facts About February 3 In South Dakota History
1. On February 3, 1877, the U.S. Army established Fort Meade in present-day Sturgis, South Dakota. The fort played a significant role in the Black Hills Gold Rush and later served as a military training facility. 2. In 1896, South Dakota became the second state in the United States to...
5 Fun Facts About February 2 In South Dakota History
1. Groundhog Day: February 2 is celebrated as Groundhog Day all around the world. In South Dakota, the celebration of the day is centered around the most famous groundhog: Punxsutawney Phil. Phil's shadow is seen as a sign that winter will continue for another six weeks. The local community gathers...
5 Fun Facts About February 1 In South Dakota History
1. The state of South Dakota was officially admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889, but it was on February 1, 1890 that the first state legislature was convened in Pierre, the capital city. The session was held in the newly constructed state capitol building, which still stands today...
5 Fun Facts About January 31 In South Dakota History
1. On January 31, 1890, the South Dakota state constitution was adopted. This document established the framework for the state government and protected individual rights such as free speech and freedom of religion. 2. In 1981, the infamous "Blizzard of '81" hit South Dakota on January 31. This massive snowstorm...