Home to Mount Rushmore, South Dakota is the focus of today’s list.

1. South Dakota became the 40th state of the United States on November 2, 1889.
2. The state’s name comes from the Sioux word “Dakota,” meaning “allies” or “friends.”
3. Pierre is the capital of South Dakota, while Sioux Falls is the largest city.
4. The official state flag features the state seal centered on a field of sky blue.
5. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, located in the Black Hills, features the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
6. The Badlands National Park showcases unique geological formations and fossil beds.
7. South Dakota is often referred to as the “Mount Rushmore State.”
8. The state motto is “Under God, the People Rule.”
9. The Missouri River runs through the central part of the state.
10. The Black Hills are sacred to the Lakota Sioux and home to Harney Peak, the highest point in South Dakota.
11. The state’s official state flower is the pasque flower.
12. The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs is an active paleontological excavation site with a large concentration of mammoth remains.
13. The Wind Cave National Park in the Black Hills is known for its unique boxwork cave formations.
14. The Corn Palace in Mitchell is a building decorated with murals made from corn and grains.
15. South Dakota is home to the second-largest buffalo herd in the United States.
16. The state’s official state bird is the ring-necked pheasant.
17. The 1880 Train, a vintage steam train, takes visitors on a scenic journey through the Black Hills.
18. South Dakota’s official state tree is the Black Hills spruce.
19. The Crazy Horse Memorial, under construction in the Black Hills, honors the legendary Lakota leader Crazy Horse.
20. The state’s official state insect is the honeybee.
21. The International Vinegar Museum in Roslyn celebrates all things vinegar.
22. South Dakota is known for its cold winters and hot summers, experiencing a continental climate.
23. The state’s official state animal is the coyote.
24. The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis is one of the largest motorcycle gatherings in the world.
25. The Homestake Mine in Lead was once one of the largest and deepest gold mines in North America.
26. South Dakota’s official state fish is the walleye.
27. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes in De Smet showcase the life and works of the famous author.
28. The state’s official state gemstone is the Fairburn agate.
29. Wall Drug Store in Wall is a famous tourist attraction known for its billboards advertising free ice water.
30. South Dakota is part of the Great Plains region, known for its vast prairies.
31. The Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park gathers thousands of buffalo each year.
32. The state’s official state soil is Houdek soil.
33. The Dignity statue, located near Chamberlain, represents the Dakota and Lakota cultures and stands at 50 feet tall.
34. The state’s official state march is the “South Dakota March.”
35. The National Music Museum in Vermillion houses one of the world’s largest collections of musical instruments.
36. South Dakota’s official state dessert is kuchen, a German pastry.
37. The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site preserves Cold War-era missile silos.
38. The state’s official state grass is the western wheatgrass.
39. The annual Sioux Empire Fair in Sioux Falls is a popular event featuring entertainment, exhibits, and rides.
40. South Dakota has a rich Native American heritage, with nine recognized tribes.
41. The State Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings explores the history of agriculture in the state.
42. South Dakota’s official state jewelry is Black Hills gold.
43. The USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial in Sioux Falls honors the battleship and its crew.
44. The state’s official state soil is Houdek soil.
45. South Dakota State University is known for its agriculture and engineering programs.
46. The Thunderhead Falls near Rapid City is a natural waterfall inside a cave.
47. South Dakota’s official state march is the “South Dakota March.”
48. The Corn Palace in Mitchell hosts an annual festival celebrating agriculture and art.
49. The state’s official state sport is rodeo.
50. The Terry Redlin Art Center in Watertown features the works of the renowned wildlife artist.
51. South Dakota’s official state motto is “Under God, the People Rule.”
52. The state’s official state reptile is the black hills mountain kingsnake.
53. The annual Hot Springs Sandstone Summerfest celebrates the local sandstone heritage.
54. South Dakota has a low population density, making it one of the least populous states in the U.S.
55. The state’s official state soil is Houdek soil.
56. The Mickelson Trail is a 109-mile rail trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
57. South Dakota’s official state song is “Hail, South Dakota!”
58. The Ingalls Homestead in De Smet allows visitors to experience pioneer life.
59. The state’s official state insect is the honeybee.
60. The National Alpaca Farm Days showcase alpaca farms across the state.
61. South Dakota is a major producer of sunflowers, ranking among the top states in sunflower production.
62. The state’s official state horse is the American Paint Horse.
63. The Missouri National Recreational River preserves a section of the Missouri River’s free-flowing, natural condition.
64. South Dakota’s official state soil is Houdek soil.
65. The Corn Palace in Mitchell features murals made from thousands of bushels of corn, grains, and grasses.
66. The annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup attracts visitors from around the world.
67. The Redlin Art Center in Watertown houses the largest collection of Terry Redlin’s original art.
68. South Dakota’s official state gemstone is the Fairburn agate.
69. The Dignity statue, located near Chamberlain, represents the Dakota and Lakota cultures and stands at 50 feet tall.
70. The annual Sioux Empire Fair in Sioux Falls is a popular event featuring entertainment, exhibits, and rides.
71. South Dakota has a rich Native American heritage, with nine recognized tribes.
72. The State Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings explores the history of agriculture in the state.
73. South Dakota’s official state jewelry is Black Hills gold.
74. The USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial in Sioux Falls honors the battleship and its crew.
75. The state’s official state soil is Houdek soil.
76. South Dakota State University is known for its agriculture and engineering programs.
77. The Thunderhead Falls near Rapid City is a natural waterfall inside a cave.
78. South Dakota’s official state march is the “South Dakota March.”
79. The Corn Palace in Mitchell hosts an annual festival celebrating agriculture and art.
80. The state’s official state sport is rodeo.
81. The Terry Redlin Art Center in Watertown features the works of the renowned wildlife artist.
82. South Dakota’s official state motto is “Under God, the People Rule.”
83. The state’s official state reptile is the black hills mountain kingsnake.
84. The annual Hot Springs Sandstone Summerfest celebrates the local sandstone heritage.
85. South Dakota has a low population density, making it one of the least populous states in the U.S.
86. The state’s official state soil is Houdek soil.
87. The Mickelson Trail is a 109-mile rail trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
88. South Dakota’s official state song is “Hail, South Dakota!”
89. The Ingalls Homestead in De Smet allows visitors to experience pioneer life.
90. The state’s official state insect is the honeybee.
91. The National Alpaca Farm Days showcase alpaca farms across the state.
92. South Dakota is a major producer of sunflowers, ranking among the top states in sunflower production.
93. The state’s official state horse is the American Paint Horse.
94. The Missouri National Recreational River preserves a section of the Missouri River’s free-flowing, natural condition.
95. South Dakota’s official state soil is Houdek soil.
96. The Corn Palace in Mitchell features murals made from thousands of bushels of corn, grains, and grasses.
97. The annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup attracts visitors from around the world.
98. The Redlin Art Center in Watertown houses the largest collection of Terry Redlin’s original art.
99. South Dakota’s official state gemstone is the Fairburn agate.
100. The Dignity statue, located near Chamberlain, represents the Dakota and Lakota cultures and stands at 50 feet tall.