1. On February 21, 1889, South Dakota became the 40th state to join the United States. After years of fighting for statehood, South Dakota was admitted to the Union as a result of the Enabling Act of 1889.

2. In 1933, the infamous outlaw John Dillinger and his gang robbed the bank in Hot Springs, South Dakota on February 21. The robbery was unsuccessful as the gang only managed to steal $4,000 before being apprehended by local authorities.

3. February 21, 1972 marked the opening of the Black Hills Playhouse in Custer State Park. The theater has hosted hundreds of productions and has become a beloved venue for residents and visitors alike.

4. On February 21, 1985, the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Capitol, which was completed in 1910, is considered a masterpiece of the Beaux Arts architectural style.

5. In 2018, the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota announced that it had acquired a rare grand piano once owned by Franz Liszt. The piano, which was built in 1869 and is one of only three known to exist, was purchased for nearly $1 million and will be on display at the museum for visitors to admire.