1. The Battle of the Little Bighorn: On December 25, 1866, Colonel Nelson A. Miles and his troops were stationed at Fort Buford, North Dakota. The next day, they set out on a mission to find and engage with Native American Sioux warriors who had refused to sign a treaty with the U.S. government, leading to the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

2. Blizzard of 1880: December 25, 1880, was a particularly harsh day for South Dakota residents, as a blizzard swept across the state, causing great damage and loss of life. The storm, known as the "Snow Winter," resulted in over 200 deaths across the region and almost 1,000 livestock deaths.

3. USS South Dakota Commissioned: A significant event in South Dakota naval history occurred on December 25, 1941, when the USS South Dakota was commissioned in Philadelphia, PA. The South Dakota-class battleship saw action in the Pacific theater during World War II, earning numerous battle stars for its service.

4. Black Hills Gold Rush: The Black Hills Gold Rush of 1876, also known as the "Last Great Gold Rush," brought thousands of prospectors to the Black Hills, including Deadwood and Lead, South Dakota. The rush began on December 25, 1875, when George Armstrong Custer led an expedition into the Black Hills and discovered gold in French Creek.

5. Wounded Knee Massacre: One of the darkest moments in South Dakota history was the Wounded Knee Massacre, which occurred on December 29, 1890. On December 25th, 1890, a group of Lakota Sioux Native Americans performed the Ghost Dance, which was banned by the government, resulting in the U.S. Army's intervention and massacre of over 250 Lakota people.