1. In 1854, Fort Pierre was established as a military outpost in what is now Stanley County, South Dakota. It served as an important trading post and supply point for settlers and soldiers alike.

2. On June 6, 1876, a battle took place along the Rosebud River between General George Crook and a force of Lakota and Cheyenne warriors led by Crazy Horse. Although the battle ended in a stalemate, it set the stage for the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn just ten days later.

3. In 1883, the city of Rapid City was founded as a stop on the Dakota Central Railroad. Today, Rapid City is one of the largest cities in South Dakota and a hub of tourism and outdoor recreation.

4. On June 6, 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps was established as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The CCC provided jobs and vocational training for young men, and played a key role in developing public lands and infrastructure across the country, including many parks and recreational areas in South Dakota.

5. In 1968, Senator George McGovern won South Dakota's Democratic presidential primary by a landslide, propelling him into the national spotlight and cementing his status as a champion of progressive causes. McGovern would go on to win the Democratic nomination but lose to incumbent President Richard Nixon in the general election.