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 of Native American reservations in order to promote assimilation and land ownership among the tribes. However, the act ultimately resulted in the loss of millions of acres of Native American land.

3. In 1890, South Dakota became the 40th state to join the United States. The state had previously been part of Dakota Territory, which was split into two states with North Dakota becoming a state a few months later.

4. On February 11, 1945, Lieutenant General George S. Patton was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Patton was known for his aggressive tactics and charismatic personality.

5. In 1968, the basketball team from Oelrichs High School in South Dakota set a record for the most consecutive wins in a single season by a high school team. The team won 43 games in a row without a loss.