1. Dakota Territory was established on December 2, 1861. This was a notable event in South Dakota history, as it helped pave the way for statehood several years later in 1889.

2. On December 2, 1916, the world's largest hailstone was recorded in Vivian, South Dakota. The hailstone measured a whopping 7.9 inches in diameter and weighed nearly two pounds.

3. In 1943, the first successful landing of an airplane on an aircraft carrier in the dark was accomplished by a South Dakota native, Ensign Edward O'Hare. This was a significant achievement in aviation history.

4. The Battle of White Clay Creek took place on December 2, 1865, between the United States Army and Lakota Sioux warriors. The battle resulted in the deaths of several soldiers and Native American warriors, and it marked a turbulent period in the state's history.

5. December 2, 1983, marked the opening day of Custer State Park's annual buffalo roundup. This event continues to draw crowds from around the world, as visitors witness the spectacle of cowboys and cowgirls gathering and sorting buffalo on horseback.