1. On July 29, 1920, South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck signed a law creating Custer State Park. This popular tourist destination covers over 71,000 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, and mountain goats.

2. South Dakota achieved statehood on November 2, 1889, but it wasn't until July 29, 1971, that the state officially adopted a flag. The flag features the state seal set against a sunburst design.

3. July 29 is also the birthday of South Dakota's first female governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross. She was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1876, and served as governor from 1933 to 1935.

4. On July 29, 1968, the movie "The Swarm" began filming in Mitchell, South Dakota. The disaster film (starring Michael Caine and Katharine Ross) features a swarm of killer bees that terrorize a small Texas town.

5. South Dakota native Tom Brokaw, best known as the anchor of NBC Nightly News from 1982 to 2004, was born on July 29, 1940, in Webster. Brokaw is also a best-selling author and has been awarded numerous honors for his journalism work.