1. In 1879, the first public school in Rapid City, South Dakota, opened its doors. The school started with just 12 students and one teacher but has grown significantly over the years. Today, Rapid City Public Schools serves over 14,000 students across 23 schools.

2. On October 6, 1927, the Rapid City Journal published its first daily edition. The newspaper had previously been published weekly since its founding in 1878. The daily edition allowed the Journal to cover breaking news and provide more timely updates to its readers.

3. In 1949, the University of South Dakota (USD) launched its first television station, KDLO-TV. The station was one of the first educational stations in the country and provided programming on topics such as agriculture, education, and culture. Today, KDLO-TV is known as South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

4. On October 6, 1969, South Dakota State University (SDSU) established its College of Nursing. The college offers undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing and has grown to become one of the largest nursing programs in the region.

5. In 1996, the South Dakota State Capitol building underwent a significant renovation. The project, which took three years to complete, included restoring the building's historic features and upgrading its systems to meet modern safety and accessibility standards. The renovation also provided updated office space for the governor and other state officials.