This Day in History: November 2, 1889

The Dakotas:

North Dakota and South Dakota are known as "twin states" because they were admitted to the Union on the same day, November 2, 1889. No one knows which state was admitted first because President Benjamin Harrison purposely shuffled and then blindly signed the papers. Alphabetically, North Dakota is recognized as the 39th state and South Dakota the 40th State. However, the states aren't identical twins. They have similar shapes, sizes, and climates, but differ in many other ways.

South Dakota, The Mount Rushmore State

"Under God the People Rule"

"We need the tonic of wildness -- to wade sometimes in marshes where the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk. We need to witness our own limits transgressed, and some life pasturing freely where we never wander. ~Henry David Thoreau

http://www.blacktable.com/schulte040331.htm

Welcome to the gentle and thundering South Dakota!

What does the name South Dakota mean?

"Dakota" is the Sioux Indian word for friend. President James Buchanan signed the bill creating the Dakota Territory in 1861.

Before acquiring the nickname, The Mount Rushmore State, South Dakota took pride in sunshine becoming known as America's Sunshine State, even to the point of including it on the state flag. Prior to this nickname, South Dakota was referred to as the Coyote State. Sunshine brings on smiles but is really not the best descriptor for such a 'cold' state (weatherwise, that is) and coyotes are wild beasts, which is not the best of images to attract visitors. Then, only a few years ago, a movement was made to change the state's nickname to The Monument State. This effort failed leaving South Dakota with reference to Mount Rushmore.

Aerial America: South Dakota

In addition to all the information you are about to learn about South Dakota...

SIX THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT: SOUTH DAKOTA.

South Dakota is the home of the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota tribes, which make up the Sioux Nation. Custer State Park is home to a herd of 1,500 free-roaming bison. Bison can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Historically, the bison played an essential role in the lives of the Lakota (Sioux), who relied on the "tatanka" for food, clothing and shelter. The Dakota Territory originally included the area covered today by North and South Dakota as well as Montana and Wyoming. This year (2014) both states are celebrating their 125th anniversary since on November 2, 1889, North and South Dakota were admitted to the Union. South Dakota became the 40th state and is officially known as The Mount Rushmore State. The Capital of South Dakota is Pierre.

South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States.

South Dakota State Flag

South Dakota State Seal

South Dakota State Bird: Chinese Ring-Necked Pheasant

Ring-necked pheasant; photo by Richard Bicknell on Flickr

South Dakota designated the Chinese ring-necked pheasant as state bird in 1943. Its voice is a loud crowing caw-cawk! followed by a resonant beating of the wings. When alarmed flies off with a loud cackle.

South Dakota State Animal: Coyote

Image Source: en.wikipedia.com

The howl of the coyote is known as the song of the west (one of the few wild animals whose vocalizations are commonly heard). The coyote has a range of distinctive sounds it uses to communicate with pups and other adults including barks, yips, howls, yelps and huffs. As with all canines, they also use body language (ears, tail, facial expressions) to get their point across.

South Dakota State Insect: Honeybee

South Dakota, a leader in honey production, designated the honeybee as official state insect in 1978. The honeybee is recognized as an official state symbol in seventeen states (see State Insects), primarily because honeybees play such an important role in agriculture.

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/South_Dakota/desert_kuchen.html

South Dakota State Dessert: Kuchen

Kuchen was designated the official state dessert of South Dakota in 2000. Kuchen is the German word for "cake" and is used to describe a variety of different types of sweet desserts and pastries. Kuchen desserts are of German heritage, popular in many areas of German settlement in the United States, particularly North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, and Minnesota.

For all State Symbols of South Dakota click HERE!