1. In 1890, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that South Dakota's population had grown to over 328,000 people, making it the 36th most populous state in the nation.
2. On October 21, 1940, the Oahe Dam project was authorized by Congress, which would ultimately create Lake Oahe and provide hydroelectric power and irrigation to the region.
3. In 2016, the Dignity statue was unveiled near Chamberlain on October 21, which honors the Lakota and Dakota Sioux tribes and represents the “strength, bravery and wisdom” of Native American women.
4. On October 21, 1932, the Black Hills Flood occurred, causing extensive damage to the region and resulting in the loss of over 200 lives. The flood was caused by heavy rain and inadequate water management infrastructure.
5. In 1889, the South Dakota State Capitol building was completed and dedicated on October 21, just five days before the state officially became the 40th state in the nation. The building's distinctive white exterior and neoclassical design make it a prominent landmark in Pierre to this day.