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- History of South Dakota - From Native American legends to stories of immigrants settling in the Great Plains, South Dakota's history is rich and full of cultural traditions. Please take time to read through my state's history and why I am so proud to represent the great people and state of South Dakota. - The Road to Statehood - President Benjamin Harrison, approved state constitutions and election results for both North and South Dakota and issued a proclamation admitting the two states to the Union on November 2, 1889. In order to avoid giving one state priority over the other, as set forth in the enabling act, the Dakotas entered as "sister states"--the thirty-ninth and fortieth states. On February 22, President Cleveland signed the Omnibus Bill creating the States of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington. Dakota Territory formally ceased to exist on 2 November when President Harrison signed the documents formally admitting North and South Dakota to the Union as the 39th and 40th states. Harrison purposely shuffled the documents as he signed them so that no one would know which state was admitted first. During this time, Pierre was chosen as the temporary capitol of South Dakota. Finally in 1890, Pierre became the permanent capital of South Dakota. Learn More about South Dakota by clicking on the links below. South Dakota State Historical Society - The Society promotes, nurtures and sustains the historical and cultural heritage of South Dakota by collecting, preserving, researching, and interpreting evidence of the state's irreplaceable past and making it available for the life-long education and enrichment of present and future generations. South Dakota Center for Western Studies - The Center is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history and cultures of the Northern Plains and serves as a repository for over 200 archival collections and maintains a library of over 35,000 volumes on the American West. South Dakota is home to the Great Sioux Nation, the Lakota people, and nine reservations. Please take time to go to my Native American page and learn more about this fascinating culture that helped shape South Dakota. To
read more about each individual tribe, click
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