1743--The LaVerendrye Brothers, exploring for France, become the first white men to leave proof of their presence in South Dakota. They bury a lead plate on a hill on the west bank of the Missouri River near present day Fort Pierre to claim the area for France.
1760--The Sioux Indians, having been pushed out of Minnesota by the Chippewa, first reach the Missouri River. On their way to the Missouri, the Sioux drove the Omaha Indians from the Big Sioux and James River valleys. Sioux arrival at the Missouri ignites a long war with the Arikara for control of the Missouri Valley in central South Dakota.
1794--The Sioux war with the Arikara comes to an end about 1794, with the Sioux driving the Arikara out of central South Dakota.
1803--The United States makes the Louisiana Purchase from France. The area that will become South Dakota is part of the Purchase.
1804-1806--Lewis & Clark Expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific. The expedition passes through South Dakota twice. While camped near the mouth of the Bad River in 1804, the expedition raises the United States flag on 25 September 1804. This is the first time the U.S. flag was flown in South Dakota.
1823--Arikara Indians attack a fur trading party led by a General Ashley. Twelve of the fur traders were killed and eleven wounded. This fight is one of the first fights between Indians and whites in South Dakota.
1825--Treaties are signed with a number of Indian tribes in South Dakota.
1858--The Yankton Sioux sign a treaty which cedes much of eastern South Dakota to the United States and opens the land for settlement. White settlers continue to enter South Dakota. A provisional government is established, but it is not recognized by Washington.
1859-1860--White settlers continue to come to South Dakota. Another attempt at establishing a territorial government is made. This attempt also fails to obtain Washington's recognition.
1861--Dakota Territory is formally established. The legislation creating the new territory is signed by President James Buchanan. The new territory includes the present states of South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and most of Wyoming. William Jayne of Illinois is appointed as the first territorial governor.
1862-1865--The War of the Outbreak occurs. The war started in Minnesota with the Santee uprising of 1862 and spread into Dakota. Several towns, including Sioux Falls, were evacuated until the end of hostilities. The war resulted in several forts being built in Dakota. Dakota's contribution to the war against the Indians consisted of two troops of volunteer cavalry and a number of militia units.
1872--The Dakota Southern Railroad becomes the first railroad to operate in South Dakota, running from Vermillion to Sioux City, Iowa. The road was completed to Yankton in 1873.
1876--Whites continue to enter the area of the Great Sioux Reservation. Many of the intruders go to the Black Hills to look for gold. The failure of the Army to keep whites out of the Hills angers the Sioux and war begins. The most notable event of the war is the defeat of Custer and the 7th Cavalry at the Little Big Horn in June.
Stories of gold in the Hills brought the rush of 1876. Thousands of miners converged on Deadwood Gulch and nearby areas. Many people who came to the Hills were not able to find a paying claim and ended up mining the miners by providing supplies, entertainment and other services. Stories about gambling and violence during the Gold Rush may have been exaggerated, but it did bring some colorful characters to the area. Famous gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok was shot to death playing poker in Deadwood's Saloon #10. Calamity Jane, who claimed that she and Wild Bill were lovers, is buried next to him in Mount Moriah Cemetery, also in Deadwood.
1877--A treaty is signed that ends the Black Hills war and gives the Black Hills to the United States. Renegade Indians are returned to their reservations and agencies. (Dakota Profile - Spotted Tail)
1878-1887--This is the period of the Great Dakota Boom. Settlers pour into Dakota. The railroads provide a major incentive to settlement. Agriculture and industry both prosper.
1890--Pierre is chosen as the permanent capital of South Dakota. A number of challenges to Pierre's status come in succeeding years.