1. In 1953, the town of Belle Fourche recorded its highest temperature of 109 degrees Fahrenheit on July 16th, making it the hottest day in the town's history.

2. On July 16, 1931, the final report of the Black Hills Mineral Report was released, revealing that the Black Hills region had the largest gold deposits in the United States. This was a significant discovery for the South Dakota mining industry.

3. In 1945, South Dakota Governor Harlan J. Bushfield signed the first legislation in the United States allowing women to serve on juries. This historic event occurred on July 16th.

4. July 16, 1969, is a momentous day in history, as it marked the launch of the Apollo 11 mission, which landed humans on the moon for the first time. Astronaut Neil Armstrong famously declared, “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

5. In 1998, President Bill Clinton signed a bill designating the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in Philip, South Dakota. The site celebrates the Cold War nuclear missile defense program and the role South Dakota played in the nation's national defense. July 16th is an important date for Minuteman Missile history as it is the anniversary of the first test launch of the missile from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in 1961.