1. In 1896, South Dakota held its first state-wide election. This was a significant milestone, as South Dakota had only become a state four years earlier. The election featured a hotly contested race for governor, which saw Republican Andrew Lee defeat Democrat John L. Lockhart.

2. On November 3, 1908, South Dakota made history when it elected Coe I. Crawford as its first-ever Democratic governor. Crawford's win was a major upset, as Republicans had dominated South Dakota politics since statehood. Crawford went on to serve two terms as governor, from 1909 to 1913.

3. November 3, 1936, was a landmark day in South Dakota history. On this day, the state voted overwhelmingly to re-elect its governor, Tom Berry, and also chose Franklin D. Roosevelt as their choice for president. Roosevelt's landslide victory in South Dakota was part of a nationwide trend that saw him win one of the most decisive presidential victories in U.S. history.

4. In 1955, a major explosion took place at the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, South Dakota. The deadly blast killed nine miners and injured several others. The accident was a major tragedy for South Dakota's mining industry and is still remembered today as one of the worst mining disasters in state history.

5. On November 3, 2009, a new chapter in South Dakota's history began when the state swore in its first-ever female governor. Republican Kristi Noem defeated Democrat Scott Heidepriem in the election, becoming both the first female governor of South Dakota and the first female Republican governor in the state's history. Noem went on to serve two terms as governor, from 2019 to 2021.