Dakota. . . said the Sioux Indians when they meant “friends” or “allies. ” After centuries of Native Americans inhabiting the area, Europeans first arrived in 1738 with the Franco-Canadian trader La Vérendrye. Established on March 2, 1861, the Dakota Territory comprised the northernmost portion of the “Louisiana Purchase” in which the United States bought a vast tract of land from the French from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border in 1803. South Dakota is part of the Midwestern and Western regions of the United States of America. It is the 17th largest state by area, but only 46th by population. North Dakota and South Dakota joined the Union on November 2, 1889. However, it is not known which of the two new states’ instruments of accession was signed first. South Dakota is listed as the 40th state after North Dakota in alphabetical order. South Dakota is divided into two socio-economic parts, also known as the “West River” and the “East River”, by the Missouri River. Because of the fertile soils in the eastern part of the country, many crops are grown there, while livestock farming dominates in the west. The main source of income for the state is agriculture. In the recent past, attempts have been made to open up further sources of income, but without losing the predominantly rural character. South Dakota has the fifth smallest population density in the United States. Many cultural events take place in South Dakota, drawing on the ethnic and historical heritage of Native Americans and European immigrants, and reminiscent of the days of the Wild West. The Days of ’76 at Deadwood has been recognized four times since 2004 by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) as the PRCA Midsize Rodeo of the Year. Established in 1923, the Days of ’76 Museum originally exhibited horse-drawn carriages. The exhibit has been enhanced with artifacts, memorabilia and photos from a long tradition of rodeos. There are many pow-wows throughout the year throughout South Dakota. Once gatherings of Native Americans (the word pow-wow comes from the Narrangansett language and means something like “spiritual leader”), today the pow-wows are events where the “Native Americans” and the “non-Native Americans”, i. e where Native Americans and non-Native Americans meet to dance, sing and celebrate. Native American customs are cultivated there, and there are dance competitions in which considerable prize money can sometimes be won. Mount Rushmore National Memorial near Keystone is a giant sculpture by Gutzon Borglum (1867-1941). It depicts the approximately 18 meter high heads of US Presidents George Washington (1732-1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), and Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) carved into the rock. and represents the first 150 years of United States history. Check topschoolsoflaw.com for brief history of the state of South Dakota.