1. The Great Sioux Falls Fire of 1899: On November 15, 1899, a devastating fire broke out in downtown Sioux Falls that destroyed dozens of buildings and claimed several lives. The fire was started by a gas explosion and quickly spread due to high winds.

2. South Dakota's First Territorial Governor: On November 15, 1861, William Jayne was appointed as the first territorial governor of South Dakota. He served in this role until 1864 and was instrumental in the establishment of the territory's government and infrastructure.

3. The Second Battle of Wounded Knee: On November 15, 1973, members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and local Lakota Sioux activists occupied the town of Wounded Knee in a protest against the federal government's treatment of Native Americans. The siege lasted for 71 days and resulted in two deaths and significant property damage.

4. Mount Rushmore National Memorial Dedicated: On November 15, 1929, Mount Rushmore was officially dedicated as a national memorial by President Calvin Coolidge. The iconic site features the faces of four prominent American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

5. South Dakota Admitted to the Union: On November 15, 1889, South Dakota was admitted as the 40th state in the United States. The state's admission followed a lengthy period of territorial status and signaled the official end of the American frontier.