1. In 1913, the South Dakota Legislature passed a law that made February 12th a legal holiday in honor of Abraham Lincoln's birthday.
2. In 1930, a temperature of -58 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded in McIntosh, SD, making it the coldest temperature ever recorded in the state on February 12th.
3. In 1989, Buddy Holly's widow, Maria Elena Holly, donated a collection of items belonging to the rock 'n' roll legend to the South Dakota State Historical Society. The collection included glasses, photos, and letters.
4. On February 12, 2002, a historic hotel in downtown Pierre, SD, caught fire and was severely damaged. The hotel was built in 1910 and had been a landmark in the city for over 90 years.
5. In 2016, the South Dakota State Senate passed a resolution honoring the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Bataan, in which over 1,800 South Dakotans fought as part of the U.S. Army's 26th Infantry Regiment. The resolution recognized the sacrifices made by these soldiers during the war.