1700s The Sioux Nation takes over much of the region.
1743 The French arrive and lay claim to South Dakota.
1794 Jean Truteau built a cabin near present day Fort Randall.
1802 Fort aux Cedres was built 35 mmiles of the current location fo Pierre.
1803 The United States buys the land from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
1804 Explorers Lewis and Clark travel through South Dakota on their way to the Pacific Ocean.
1817 The first permanent European settlement is established in South Dakota.
1817 A Trading post was established at Fort Pierre.
1856 The city of Sioux Falls is established.
1858 The Yankton Sioux signed a treaty ceding most of Eastern Dakota.
1859 Yankton founded.
1869 The Treaty of Fort Laramie grants the western half of South Dakota to the Sioux Nation.
1874 George Custer discovers gold in the Black Hills.
1889 South Dakota becomes the 40th state.
1889 enabling Act breaks North and South Dakota into two territories and then admitted to the Union.
1890 Wounded Knee Massacre occurs at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
1930s Drought in the Midwest causes the Dust Bowl which destroys years of crops in South Dakota.
1941 Construction ends on the Mount Rushmore sculpture.
1972 Canyon Lake Dam fails and 235 are killed down stream in Rapid City and surronding areas.
1981 Citibank moves its credit card business to Sioux Falls.