SOUTH DAKOTA

State of South Dakota

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: The state was formerly the southern part of Dakota Territory; dakota is a Sioux word meaning "friend." NICKNAME: Mt. Rushmore State or the Coyote State. CAPITAL: Pierre. ENTERED UNION: 2 November 1889 (40th). SONG: "Hail, South Dakota." MOTTO: Under God the People Rule. COAT OF ARMS: Beneath the state motto, the Missouri River winds between hills and plains; symbols representing mining (a smelting furnace and hills), commerce (a steamboat), and agriculture (a man plowing, cattle, and a field of corn) complete the scene. FLAG: The state seal, centered on a white or light-blue field and encircled by a serrated sun, is surrounded by the words "South Dakota" above and "The Mount Rushmore State" below. OFFICIAL SEAL: The words "State of South Dakota Great Seal 1889" encircle the arms. ANIMAL: Coyote. BIRD: Chinese ring-necked pheasant. INSECT: Honeybee. FISH: Walleye. FLOWER: American pasque (also called the May Day flower). TREE: Black Hills spruce. GRASS: Western wheatgrass. GEM: Fairburn agate. MINERAL: Rose quartz. LEGAL HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., 3rd Monday in January; Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October; Veterans Day, 11 November; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME 6 AM CST = noon GM; 5 AM MST = noon GMT.