1. Blizzard of 1896: On December 24, 1896, a blizzard hit South Dakota, causing temperatures to drop to extreme lows, with wind gusts reaching 60 miles per hour. The storm left many people stranded, and some lost their lives due to exposure to the cold.

2. Largest Snowfall: On December 24, 2009, Rapid City recorded its largest single-day snowfall in history with over 14 inches of snow. The snowfall was a result of a winter storm that hit the region.

3. Homestake Gold Mine: On December 24, 1901, a massive fire broke out in the Homestake Gold Mine, one of the largest gold mines in the world at the time. The fire caused significant damage, but no fatalities were reported.

4. Spacecraft Launch: On December 24, 1968, NASA's Apollo 8 spacecraft was launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida. The mission marked the first time humans had orbited the moon and was a significant milestone in space exploration.

5. Historical Tornado Outbreak: On December 24, 1982, a tornado outbreak occurred in several states, including South Dakota. The outbreak produced 52 tornadoes, including an F3 tornado that struck the town of Wessington Springs, causing significant damage.