1. In 1889, South Dakota became the 40th state to join the Union. October 28 is celebrated as Statehood Day in South Dakota.

2. In 1922, the WWII-era USS South Dakota battleship was launched in Camden, New Jersey. The ship served in several major naval battles, including the Battle of Santa Cruz in 1942.

3. In 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower visited South Dakota to dedicate the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River. The dam, which spans over 9,000 feet and stands 245 feet tall, is one of the largest earthen dams in the world.

4. In 1992, a freak snowstorm hit parts of South Dakota, dropping over a foot of snow in some areas. The unexpected storm caused extensive damage to trees and power lines, leaving thousands without electricity for several days.

5. In 2016, the Native American tribe Standing Rock Sioux made national headlines when they protested against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The protest, which lasted months and involved thousands of people, drew attention to issues surrounding Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protection.