1. In 1882, South Dakota's first public school opened in Deadwood. This school, built by the Lawrence County School District, was a one-room schoolhouse that held classes for students in grades one through eight.
2. In 1906, the cornerstone for the South Dakota State Capitol building was laid in Pierre. The building was completed in 1910 and is still the home of the state's executive branch today.
3. In 1919, the town of Mitchell celebrated its first Corn Palace Festival. The festival, which is still held annually, features concerts, parades, and exhibits showcasing the area's agricultural heritage.
4. In 1965, the South Dakota State Legislature authorized the construction of the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River. The dam, which was completed in 1969, provides hydroelectric power and irrigation water for thousands of acres of farmland in the region.
5. In 1974, South Dakota adopted its current state flag. The flag features the state seal on a background of sky blue, symbolizing the state's vast prairies and blue skies.