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Copyright 2001. The Lazy 'C' - All rights reserved.
history
The South Dakota flag features the state seal surrounded by a golden blazing sun in a field of sky blue. Letters reading "South Dakota, The Mount Rushmore State" -- the official state nickname -- are arranged in a circle around the sun.
Nickname: The Mount Rushmore State.
Capital: Pierre.
Constitution: The 40th State.
Statehood: November 2nd 1889.
Motto: Under God, the people rule
History:
Two major Indian tribes--the Arikara and the Cheyenne--lived in the region before white settlers arrived. The state was named after the Sioux, or Dakota, who began entering the area in the 1700's.
In 1682, France claimed a vast territory that included South Dakota. The U.S.A. purchased the territory in 1803, as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
Gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1874 and 1876, and gold seekers poured into the region. That invasion of the Black Hills by white men caused a series of Indian uprisings.
The Mount Rushmore National Monument is a huge carving of four U.S. presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln). It was completed in 1941 on a granite cliff in the Black Hills. In the mid-1980's, South Dakota farmers suffered during a national crisis in the farm economy.
Bird:
The Chinese ring-necked pheasant is the state bird. It was introduced to South Dakota in 1898 and is easily recognized by its colourful plumage. It is also known for its delicious meat. Since it is primarily a Midwestern bird, pheasant is considered a delicacy in many other states.
Economy:
Agriculture: Cattle, hogs, wheat, soybeans, milk, corn.
Industry: Food processing, machinery, lumber and wood products, tourism.
Flower:
The pasque is the state flower. It is also called the May Day flower. It grows wild throughout the state, and its blooming is one of the first signs of spring in South Dakota. A member of the buttercup family, the pasque is a small, lavender flower.
Nickname: Mt. Rushmore State - Coyote State
Origin of state's name: Dakota is a Sioux Indian word for "friend".
Seal:
The state seal serves as a symbol of life in South Dakota. It depicts the state's diversity of commerce and resources: farming, ranching, industries, lumbering, manufacturing and mining. It bears the motto: "Under God the People Rule." The seal was adopted in 1885, four years before the state was admitted to the Union.
Slogan:
The state slogan -- "Great Faces. Great Places." -- was introduced in 1990. It refers to the famous faces of Mount Rushmore and all the other interesting people and places across South Dakota. The slogan is seen on license places, promotional materials and some road signs.
Tree:
The Black Hills spruce, a member of the evergreen family, is the state tree. The pyramid-shaped tree is characterized by dense foliage of short, blue-green needles and slender cones.
Two major Indian tribes--the Arikara and the Cheyenne--lived in the region before white settlers arrived. The state was named after the Sioux, or Dakota, who began entering the area in the 1700's.
In 1682, France claimed a vast territory that included South Dakota. The U.S.A. purchased the territory in 1803, as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
Gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1874 and 1876, and gold seekers poured into the region. That invasion of the Black Hills by white men caused a series of Indian uprisings.
The Mount Rushmore National Monument is a huge carving of four U.S. presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln). It was completed in 1941 on a granite cliff in the Black Hills. In the mid-1980's, South Dakota farmers suffered during a national crisis in the farm economy.
Bird:
The Chinese ring-necked pheasant is the state bird. It was introduced to South Dakota in 1898 and is easily recognized by its colourful plumage. It is also known for its delicious meat. Since it is primarily a Midwestern bird, pheasant is considered a delicacy in many other states.
Economy:
Agriculture: Cattle, hogs, wheat, soybeans, milk, corn.
Industry: Food processing, machinery, lumber and wood products, tourism.
Flower:
The pasque is the state flower. It is also called the May Day flower. It grows wild throughout the state, and its blooming is one of the first signs of spring in South Dakota. A member of the buttercup family, the pasque is a small, lavender flower.
Nickname: Mt. Rushmore State - Coyote State
Origin of state's name: Dakota is a Sioux Indian word for "friend".
Seal:
The state seal serves as a symbol of life in South Dakota. It depicts the state's diversity of commerce and resources: farming, ranching, industries, lumbering, manufacturing and mining. It bears the motto: "Under God the People Rule." The seal was adopted in 1885, four years before the state was admitted to the Union.
Slogan:
The state slogan -- "Great Faces. Great Places." -- was introduced in 1990. It refers to the famous faces of Mount Rushmore and all the other interesting people and places across South Dakota. The slogan is seen on license places, promotional materials and some road signs.
Tree:
The Black Hills spruce, a member of the evergreen family, is the state tree. The pyramid-shaped tree is characterized by dense foliage of short, blue-green needles and slender cones.