On this date, May 1, 1865, A military post is established in Sioux Falls by Co. E, 6th Iowa Cavalry.

Source: Minnehaha County History.

On this date, April 16, 1976, a deep low pressure system out of Nebraska caused damaging winds across eastern South Dakota. 

Source: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fsd/?n=fsdtrivia04

A deepening low pressure system moved northward out of Nebraska and across western South Dakota on April 16th, 1976 . The storm produced extremely strong winds across eastern South Dakota , southwest Minnesota , and northwest half of Iowa . Winds of 60 to 80 mph were reported across the area with gusts over 90 mph in southwest Minnesota . Some recorded wind speeds included 62 mph at Sioux Falls , 70 mph at Brookings, and 82 mph at Watertown .

During this long day of high winds many buildings were damaged and many roofs were blown off. At the Sioux Falls and Huron airports a couple of planes were overturned. Across southwest Minnesota many trees were uprooted and several trucks were blown off of the highway. Across the area many barns, outbuildings, sheds, and older structures were completely demolished. In 2 separate incidents in northwest Iowa downed power lines set fire to several barns resulting in the loss of property and livestock.

The late Gov. Joe Foss (R-S.D.).On this date, April 17, 1915, Marine fighter ace, South Dakota governor, AFL commissioner, and outdoorsman Joe Foss was born in Sioux Falls.

Source: http://www.acepilots.com/usmc_foss.html

The first USS South Dakota, an armored cruiser.The first USS South Dakota, an armored cruiser, began her seafaring career when she "coaled up" in San Diego Harbor on this date, April 8, 1908, before setting off on a cruise of the Pacific with other cruisers in her class.  

Source:  http://freepages.military.rootsweb.com/~cacunithistories/USS_South_Dakota.html

On April 8, 1908 she (armored cruiser USS SD) put in to coal (in San Diego) according to a post card dated April 8, 1908 that was addresses to a F. E. Lough in Berkeley, California. It reads: "Wed. April 8, 1908. Just coming in and going to coal and go right out again so I think I won't be home this time. And there will be no liberty unless they change plans. G. D."

On this date, March 31, 1863, Company "B" of the 1st Battalion Cavalry was formed in Sioux City, Ia. and saw extensive action in South Dakota (then Dakota Territory).

Source: http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/dt1btcav.htm

1st Battalion Cavalry

Company "A" was organized at Yankton, Dakota Territory in April of 1862. Company "B" was organized at Sioux City , Iowa on March 31, 1863 . This unit was assigned to duty in te District of Iowa and Dakota Department of the Northwest, defending frontiers and operating against Indians. Participated in Sully's Expedition against hostile Sioux Indians in Dakota Territory from July 25th to October 8, 1864 , with engagements at Tahkaha-kuty on July 28th and at Two Hills, Badlands , Little Missouri River August 8th - 9th. Company "A" mustered out on May 9, 1865 . Company "B" mustered out on November 15, 1865 .

On this date, March 18, 1833, Civil War brevet Brigadier General and hero and one of the first justices to the South Dakota Supreme Court, John Bennett, was born. 

Source: http://www.findagrave.com/php/famous.php?page=state&FSstateid=44

Bennett, John b. March 18, 1833 d. December 31, 1893
Civil War Brevet Brigadier General. Served in the Civil War as Colonel and commander of the 75th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was brevetted Brigadier General , US Volunteers on April 6, 1865 for "gallant and meritorious services". he entered the Regular Army at the conclusion of the war, but resigned at the rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1868. He served as a Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court from 1871 to 1874, then as a Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court from 1889 to 1893. (Bio by: Russ Dodge )
Rose Hill Cemetery , Clark , Clark County , South Dakota , USA
Plot: Block A, Sec. 5, Lot 8

An F-16C like those flown from by the SDANG's 114th Fighter Group in Sioux Falls.On this date, March 16, 1992, the S.D. Air National Guard 114th TFG was redesignated the 114th Fighter Group.

Source: http://www.state.sd.us/applications/MV91MVAInternetRewrite/default.asp?navid=23

The 114 TFG received the first of its F-16C/D fighters in August 1991 with the official conversion from the A-7 to the F-16 occurring on January 1, 1992 . The unit was redesignated as the 114th Fighter Group on March 16, 1992 and became a part of the newly formed Air Combat Command on June 1, 1992 .

Former S.D. Gov. Joe Foss (R-S.D.) in his Marine combat days.On this date, January 23, 1943, former S.D. Governor, Marine combat ace, and Medal of Honor recipient Joe Foss finishes his last combat service over Guadalcanal.  Source: http://www.acepilots.com/usmc_foss.html

World War II diorama from the S.D. National Guard Museum in Pierre.On this date, January 14, 1942, a collection of South Dakota Army National Guard units set sail for Ireland for eventual deployment in the North African and Italian campaigns during World War II.

Source: http://www.state.sd.us/military/Military/museum.htm

On February 10, 1941 , the 109th Engineer Regiment, 109th Quartermaster Regiment, and the 34th Signal Company, were called into active service, and assembled with the 34th Division at Camp Claiborne , Louisiana . The 34th Division which contained the South Dakota units set sail for Ireland on January 14, 1942 . The 1st Battalion, 109th Quartermaster and Company A, 109th Engineers were part of this movement, and the first soldier to disembark in Ireland , was a soldier from Pierre named Baer Schliussmann. The 34th Division landed in Oran , North Africa in January, 1943. They participated in the North Africa Campaign, the Italian Campaign and the occupation of Northern Italy after May of 1945.

The other reorganized units went to Corsica , France and Germany . The South Dakota troops were discharged in 1945 and 1946 as individuals, not units.

Two major events occurred on this date in S.D. history.

U.S. Sen. Francis Case (R-S.D.)First, on this date, January 5, 1961, S.D. U.S. Senator Francis case announced that Ellsworth Air Force Base would be the headquarters for the country's second Minuteman nuclear missile deployment.

Source: http://www.nps.gov/mimi/history/srs/history.htm

Located about 12 miles east of Rapid City , Ellsworth AFB was founded in 1941 as the Rapid City Army Air Base. The Air Corps used the airfield to train B-17 bomber crews, and Ellsworth eventually served as home base for many of America 's largest strategic bombers. The base was also headquarters for a Titan I missile squadron.

Although the Defense Department had not yet officially authorized the South Dakota Minuteman installation, Senator Case wanted the land acquired immediately so there would be "no loss of valuable time" once the project was approved. Local ranchers did not share Case's sense of urgency. Fearing that the government might offer below-market prices for their land, the ranchers established the Missile Area Landowners' Association to negotiate fair prices. The association assured fellow citizens that its actions would "not necessarily slow the national defense effort."

While real estate negotiations were underway, the South Dakota State Highway Department spent $650,000 from the Federal Bureau of Public Roads to improve 327 miles of roads leading to the proposed missile sites. By June 1961, Boeing was busy improving the infrastructure. Anticipating that the project would bring in more than 3,000 workers, the company raced to build mobile home camps and cafeterias near Wall, Sturgis, Belle Fourche , and Union Center , as well as in Rapid City .

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)Also on this date, January 5, 2004, former U.S. Rep. John Thune announced he was challenging Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle in the 2004 election.

Source: CNN

Thune to challenge Daschle in South Dakota 
Setting up an expensive, high-stakes race with national implications, former GOP Rep. John Thune of South Dakota announced Monday night that he will try to unseat the Senate's top Democrat, Minority Leader Tom Daschle, in November's election.