South and North Dakota were once called Dakota Territory until they were declared separate states on November 2, 1889.
Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota, was so named after the German unifier Otto von Bismarck to attract German immigrants to settle in the new state.
Pierre, the capital of South Dakota, was so named to recognize a French Canadian fur trader of the same name who helped establish a trading post there before moving on to establish more trading posts in other states. But the residents of the post rejected the French pronunciation of Pierre and instead use the pronunciation “Peer”, but kept the original spelling.
Until 1883, the capital of Dakota Territory had been located in southeastern Yankton. Northerners, growing quickly and in need of governance, refused to recognize the remote area as the state capital and declared their own: Bismarck. This caused enough tension to facilitate a split in the land, and rather than “pull this car over until you two knock it off, I mean it,” Congress indulged the young state and cut a line straight down the 46th parallel. – Mental FlossSouth Dakota then dumped Yankton and chose Pierre.
Brass Orchid Premium Member about 1 month ago
Remnants of it can still be seen today, if you know where to look.
goboboyd about 1 month ago
Then the glaciers melted. Half my relatives now live in Canada.
markkahler52 about 1 month ago
Too many folks coming across the southern border….
HappyDog/ᵀʳʸ ᴮᵒᶻᵒ ⁴ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶦᵗ Premium Member about 1 month ago
Facts you didn’t come here to read:
South and North Dakota were once called Dakota Territory until they were declared separate states on November 2, 1889.
Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota, was so named after the German unifier Otto von Bismarck to attract German immigrants to settle in the new state.
Pierre, the capital of South Dakota, was so named to recognize a French Canadian fur trader of the same name who helped establish a trading post there before moving on to establish more trading posts in other states. But the residents of the post rejected the French pronunciation of Pierre and instead use the pronunciation “Peer”, but kept the original spelling.
MFRXIM Premium Member about 1 month ago
In winter it’s a ski resort!
PoodleGroomer about 1 month ago
If you miss it you will end up in Nebraska or Canada.
eddi-TBH about 1 month ago
Until 1883, the capital of Dakota Territory had been located in southeastern Yankton. Northerners, growing quickly and in need of governance, refused to recognize the remote area as the state capital and declared their own: Bismarck. This caused enough tension to facilitate a split in the land, and rather than “pull this car over until you two knock it off, I mean it,” Congress indulged the young state and cut a line straight down the 46th parallel. – Mental FlossSouth Dakota then dumped Yankton and chose Pierre.