1. Statehood Day: January 1, 1889, marks South Dakota's Statehood Day. It was on this day that the Dakota Territory was officially split into North Dakota and South Dakota, with the latter becoming the 40th state in the Union.

2. First Governor: Arthur C. Mellette was inaugurated as South Dakota's first governor on January 1, 1889, the same day that the state officially became a member of the Union. Mellette served two non-consecutive terms as governor and played a prominent role in South Dakota's early development.

3. Record-Breaking Cold: South Dakota is known for its harsh winters, and January 1, 1919, was no exception. On that day, the town of McIntosh set a state record low temperature of -58 degrees Fahrenheit (-50 degrees Celsius). The extreme cold lasted for several days, causing widespread hardship and even deaths across the state.

4. Rose Bowl Champions: On January 1, 1942, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the Washington State Cougars 17-7 in the Rose Bowl. The game is notable for being the last Rose Bowl played before the United States entered World War II, and Minnesota's victory helped boost morale across the country during a difficult time.

5. New Year's Day Blizzard: In 2010, South Dakota experienced a severe blizzard on New Year's Day that brought heavy snow and strong winds to the state. The storm caused widespread power outages, closed roads and schools, and led to several fatalities. It serves as a reminder of the state's unpredictable and often harsh winter weather.