1. In 1941, the South Dakota Air National Guard was officially recognized, becoming the 175th Fighter Squadron. Today, the South Dakota Air National Guard operates out of Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls.

2. On June 11, 1967, a tornado struck the town of Wessington Springs, damaging or destroying 84 percent of the town's buildings. Fortunately, no one was killed in the storm.

3. In 1988, South Dakota Governor George S. Mickelson signed into law the "Deadwood Bill," which allowed gambling in the historic town of Deadwood. This decision helped revitalize the town's struggling economy.

4. On June 11, 2006, the state's first wind turbine farm began operation near Highmore. The wind farm consisted of 27 turbines and was capable of generating 40.5 megawatts of electricity.

5. On June 11, 2016, South Dakota celebrated its 127th anniversary of being admitted into the United States as the 40th state. The state's motto, "Under God The People Rule," was adopted in 1885, when the territory was still seeking statehood.