(1861) Dakota Territory was established; William Jayne appointed governor
(1863) First homestead filed in Dakota Territory
(1868) Treaty signed with the Sioux, continued the Great Sioux Reservation which included the Black Hills
(1874) Gold was discovered in Black Hills; gold rush began
(1876) Homestake Gold Mine opened; Sioux war occurred and Gen. Custer and 7th Cavalry defeated
(1888) Major blizzard strikes, 35 people die
(1889) South Dakota admitted into the Union as 40th state
(1890) Wounded Knee Massacre occurred - 7th Cavalry killed more than 250 Lakota men, women and children; Sitting Bull killed at Little Eagle; Indian wars ended