Happy South Dakota Day!

Today is National South Dakota Day for 2025. . .

Happy National South Dakota Day ! ! ! 

Which State is SD:

The Beginning Years: It is believed that the initial South Dakota settlement history began over 5,000 years ago with Paleoindian hunter-gatherers who hunted bison and other large animals. The Arikara and Mandan later created a large trading network, influencing the local economy and culture. By the early 1700s, the Sioux tribes, including the Lakota, became the dominant Native American group in the area. The first Europeans to arrive were the French explorers Francois and Louis-Joseph de La Verendrye, who claimed the land for France in 1743.

Map of South Dakota’s legislative districts with counties courtesy of Openverse

More History: The state of  South Dakota’s history includes a shift from Native American control to European settlement, leading to statehood in 1889. The U. S. acquired the territory through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Initial settlers focused on fur trading and building forts, while later settlers, such as gold rush miners, caused conflicts with Native American tribes, notably the Sioux. Humans lived in the area for thousands of years, starting with nomadic hunter-gatherers, followed by the Mound Builders. The Sioux emerged as the dominant tribe by the early 1800s. European exploration began in the 17th century, and Lewis and Clark’s journey in 1804 gave early descriptions of the region. The Dakota Territory was formed in 1861, leading to increased white settlement and conflict with the Sioux. South Dakota became the 40th state on November 2, 1889. Significant events include the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868, the gold rush in the Black Hills, the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, the 1930s Dust Bowl, and the start of Mount Rushmore construction in the 1920s.

More About South Dakota: Throughout the years, South Dakota has earned the titles of being known for Mount Rushmore National Memorial, agriculture, and tourism. The Black Hills mountain range includes Mount Rushmore and features scenic drives and hiking. The state is nicknamed “The Mount Rushmore State” due to its iconic landmark. Mount Rushmore National Memorial attracts millions with the carved faces of four US presidents. South Dakota leads in agriculture, growing crops like corn, wheat, soybeans, and sunflowers. The state also has many attractions like Badlands National Park and Custer State Park. Historic Deadwood is famous for its Old West connections.

Homestead Overlook courtesy of Openverse

The Dust Bowl: The “Dust Bowl” was a dreaded phenomenon that was the largest weather disaster that was directly caused by decades of ill activity man created by lack of the proper knowledge skills to preserve a land’s environment. For decades leading up to the disaster, mankind kept using the disk plow which dug too deep into the soil of the plains and pulverized the dirt and made in featherlight. To make matters worse, mankind kept digging up the grassland to plant for aid to economic depression of both Europe and the United States, with legislation to pay farmers more than the value of the crops. The Dust Bowl also was brought on by natural effects of extended drought and unusually high temperatures. Poor agricultural practices and the resulting wind erosion all contributed to making the Dust Bowl. President Herbert Hoover then finally admitted it was a disaster when the winds blew the dust all the way to Washington D.C. U.S. Congress established the Soil Erosion Service and the Prairie States Forestry Project in 1935. The Dust Bowl effected Kansas and other U.S. States. A great book with the subject of the Dust Bowl is listed here:

BOOK REVIEW:The Worst Hard Time (The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl) by Timothy Egan

My Rating ★★★★★

See my review on the following post: The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan. Please  see my excellent five star review on this great book!

The Great Location of South Dakota: The state of South Dakota spans 380 miles in length (east to west) and 210 miles in width (north to south). It is bordered by North Dakota to the north, Minnesota and Iowa to the east, Nebraska to the south, and Wyoming and Montana to the west.

Greetings from South Dakota – Large Letter Postcard courtesy of Openverse

South Dakota’s Statehood Facts:

The History:

South Dakota Officially Adopted as a U.S. State, State Song, Admission Date & South Dakota Flag
State Name Info ♪ State Song ♫	Admission	Capital	Flag Image
40th State. Dakota Territory (South Dakota) “South Dakota Morning” by the Bee Gees (Modern), “Hail, South Dakota!” DeeCort Hammitt (Original)	11/02/1889	Pierre

See: Officially Adopted as a U.S. States, State Songs, Admission Dates & Flags at:

National States & Capitals Day – 2024

Some Great South Dakota Sites:  Here is a list of some some great places to visit while in South Dakota:

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 13000 Highway 244, Building 31, Suite 1, Keystone, SD 57751
• Custer State Park, 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
• Falls Park, 131 E Falls Park Dr, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
• Bear Country USA, 13820 US-16, Rapid City, SD 57702
• Sylvan Lake, 24572 SD Highway 87, East Custer, SD 57730
• Crazy Horse Memorial, 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD 57730
• Wildlife Loop Road, 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
• Iron Mountain Road, 24631 Iron Mountain Rd, Keystone, SD 57751
• Rushmore Tramway Adventures, 203 Cemetery Rd, Keystone, SD 57751
• Reptile Gardens, 8955 US-16, Rapid City, SD 57702
• The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, 1800 US-18, Hot Springs, SD 57747
• Loop Road, Badlands National Park, Interior, SD 57750

Memorable South Dakota Events:  Here is a list of some events that happened in South Dakota:

• 1700s: The Sioux Nation takes over much of the region.
  
• 1743: The French arrive and lay claim to South Dakota.
  
• 1803: The United States buys the land from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
  
• 1804: Explorers Lewis and Clark travel through South Dakota on their way to the Pacific Ocean.
  
• 1817: The first permanent European settlement is established in South Dakota.
  
• 1856: The city of Sioux Falls is established.
  
• 1869: The Treaty of Fort Laramie grants the western half of South Dakota to the Sioux Nation.
  
• 1874: George Custer discovers gold in the Black Hills.
  
• 1889: South Dakota becomes the 40^th state.
  
• 1890: The Wounded Knee Massacre occurs.
  
• 1930s: Drought in the Midwest causes the Dust Bowl which destroys years of crops in South Dakota.
  
• 1941: Construction ends on the Mount Rushmore sculpture.
  
• 1981: Citibank moves its credit card business to Sioux Falls.

Crazy Horse Memorial (South Dakota) courtesy of Openverse

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National South Dakota Day