Posted in South Dakota December 17, 2018 by

9 Moments Everyone Born In South Dakota Will Always Remember

Throughout our lives, we all acquire countless memories, some of which are cheery and nostalgic, and others that we would prefer to forget. If you are from South Dakota, there are certain instances in state history that are embedded in our brains for life, including these 9 moments that everyone born in SoDak will always remember:

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1. 1941: The long-awaited Mount Rushmore National Monument is finally complete.
Wikimedia Commons
Started in 1927, the iconic Mount Rushmore cost nearly $1M to complete (which would equal $16,927,555.13 today) and welcomes an average 2M visitors each year.
2. 1948: Korczak Ziolkowski begins work on his larger-than-life Crazy Horse Memorial.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
While the monument is still not complete, it is one of the most visited and recognizable spots in all of South Dakota!
3. 1962: ICBM missiles were placed around South Dakota during the Cold War.
Wikimedia Commons
Many of these sites can still be visited today, including the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (pictured).
4. 1972: The Black Hills Flood of 1972 kills 238.
Wikimedia Commons
The unfathomable flood took place June 9th and 10th, and was caused by Canyon Lake Dam becoming clogged with excess debris.
5. 1980: Several of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad lines close, leaving many without jobs.
Wikimedia Commons
The fall of the once prosperous railroad industry affected not only South Dakotans, but the country as a whole.
6. 1985: One of the largest wildfires in South Dakota history rips through the state.
Flickr/Bob Dass
The Flint Hill Fire destroyed a whopping 21,746 acres.
7. 1989: South Dakota celebrates its Centennial.
Flickr/Rick Derevan
The Mount Rushmore State never looked better than it did when it turned 100 years old!
8. 1993: South Dakota Governor George S. Mickelson is killed in a plane crash over Dubuque, Iowa.
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Mickelson and 8 others were killed after the Mitsubishi MU-2 turboprop they were flying in reported engine trouble.
9. 1999: Another tragic plane crash leaves the state in mourning.
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On October 25th, a chartered plane headed from Florida to Texas crash landed in South Dakota after the plane depressurized, leaving the pilots and passengers incapacitated. After flying northbound for several hours, the plane crash landed in a field near Aberdeen.

How many of these instances did you live through? For even more incredible SoDak history, click on We Will Never Forget These 10 Horrific Winter Storms That Have Gone Down In South Dakota History.