1. In 1943, the inaugural flight of the B-17 bomber "South Dakota" took place at the Boeing plant in Seattle. This bomber went on to have a distinguished service record during World War II, completing 60 missions and earning numerous accolades.

2. On May 4, 1970, a group of students from South Dakota State University participated in a nationwide student strike to protest the U.S. invasion of Cambodia and the killing of students at Kent State University in Ohio. The protests led to the closure of SDSU and other colleges throughout the state.

3. In 1988, the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota saw a historic election when Cecilia Fire Thunder became the first woman tribal president in the country. Fire Thunder, who was Oglala Lakota, was a vocal advocate for women's health and reproductive rights.

4. The South Dakota State Legislature designated May 4 as "Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day" in 2006. The day is intended to honor the sacrifices of South Dakotans who served in Vietnam and to recognize the impact the war had on families, communities, and the state as a whole.

5. The city of Deadwood, South Dakota, celebrates May 4th as "Star Wars Day," a nod to the famous line "May the fourth be with you" from the classic science fiction franchise. The town hosts a variety of Star Wars-themed events and activities, including costume contests, trivia competitions, and film screenings.