South Dakota in United States History
Timeline of Events:
- 1803: Louisiana Purchase brings present-day South Dakota under US control.
- 1861: Territory of Dakota is organized.
- 1863: Sioux uprising in Minnesota spills over into South Dakota.
- 1889: South Dakota becomes the 40th state.
- 1901: Mount Rushmore construction begins.
- 1912: Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is first held.
- 1943: Crazy Horse Memorial construction begins.
- 1973: Wounded Knee Occupation brings attention to Native American rights.
- 1980: Mount Rushmore is designated a National Memorial.
- 2016: Dakota Access Pipeline protests begin.
Important Legislation:
- 1931: Rural Electrification Act provides funding for rural electrification in South Dakota.
- 1990: Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allows Native American tribes to operate casinos on reservations.
Important Court Cases:
- 1889: Sparf v. United States upholds the constitutionality of the prohibition on polygamy.
- 1973: United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians rules that the Black Hills were illegally taken from the Sioux.
- 1980: City of Rapid City v. Rapid City Area School District establishes the “Lemon Test” for religious neutrality in public schools.
Major Industry:
- Tourism, focused on Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills region.
Impact on the Rest of the Country:
- Contributions to the national economy through tourism and agriculture.
- Important role in the history of Native American relations and the development of federal Indian policy.
- Symbol of American national pride and patriotism through Mount Rushmore.
- Birthplace of several notable figures, including the historian John Wesley Powell and the artist Harvey Dunn.