Today In History
5 Fun Facts About August 3 In South Dakota History
1. On August 3, 1909, the first airplane flight in South Dakota occurred. Piloted by Frank Coffyn, the flight took place in a Curtiss biplane over the city of Rapid City. 2. Legendary American football coach and player, Vince Lombardi, was born on August 3, 1913. Lombardi would go on...
5 Fun Facts About August 2 In South Dakota History
1. In 1887, the first Chautauqua assembly was held in Watertown. The Chautauqua movement presented educational and cultural programs throughout the country, and Watertown's assembly became one of the most successful in the region. 2. On August 2, 1909, the city of Deadwood was devastated by a flood. A sudden...
5 Fun Facts About August 1 In South Dakota History
1) In 1718, the French explorer Jean Baptiste de la Vérendrye passed through what is now South Dakota on his journey to explore the western United States. 2) On August 1, 1876, Wild Bill Hickok was shot and killed while playing poker in Deadwood. This event is widely recognized as...
5 Fun Facts About July 31 In South Dakota History
1. On July 31, 1890, South Dakota was admitted as the 40th state in the United States. The territory had been seeking statehood for several years, and its admission was a major milestone for the region. 2. In 1943, the town of Hill City in the Black Hills experienced a...
5 Fun Facts About July 30 In South Dakota History
1. The Treaty of Fort Laramie was signed on July 30, 1868, which ended Red Cloud's War and granted the Sioux Indians designated reservation land in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. 2. The construction of Mount Rushmore was completed on July 30, 1941, after 14 years of work...
5 Fun Facts About July 29 In South Dakota History
1. On July 29, 1920, South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck signed a law creating Custer State Park. This popular tourist destination covers over 71,000 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, and mountain goats. 2. South Dakota achieved statehood on November 2, 1889, but it...
5 Fun Facts About July 28 In South Dakota History
1. On July 28, 1914, South Dakota Governor Frank Byrne issued a proclamation calling for peace in the midst of World War I. He urged all citizens to remain calm and avoid any actions or statements that could provoke conflict. 2. The first ever South Dakota State Fair was held...
5 Fun Facts About July 27 In South Dakota History
1. In 1972, the town of Rapid City experienced a catastrophic flood that left 238 people dead and caused over $160 million in damages. The flood was triggered by a massive thunderstorm that dropped over a foot of rain in just 6 hours, causing several creeks and rivers to overflow...
5 Fun Facts About July 26 In South Dakota History
1. In 1907, South Dakota's first law school, the University of South Dakota School of Law, was established in Vermillion. The school is still in operation today and is part of the larger University of South Dakota system. 2. On July 26, 1954, the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is located...
5 Fun Facts About July 25 In South Dakota History
1. In 1890, a tornado struck the town of Gettysburg, South Dakota, killing nine people and causing extensive damage to buildings and farms in the area. 2. On July 25, 1916, the infamous outlaw and bank robber, Harry Longabaugh, also known as the Sundance Kid, was reportedly killed in a...
5 Fun Facts About July 24 In South Dakota History
1. The Black Hills Expedition began on July 24, 1874, led by General George Armstrong Custer. The expedition's purpose was to explore the Black Hills region of South Dakota and to find gold. This ultimately lead to conflict with the Sioux Nation and the Battle of Little Bighorn. 2. On...
5 Fun Facts About July 23 In South Dakota History
1. The Homestake Gold Mine began operation on July 23, 1876 in Lead, South Dakota. It would go on to become the largest and deepest gold mine in North America, producing over 40 million ounces of gold during its 125-year history. 2. On July 23, 1904, Norwegian immigrant E.T. Steen...