North Dakota Flag
North Dakota became the thirty-ninth state of the United States in 1889. The state ranks seventeenth in area and forty-seventh in population. Its nicknames include the Sioux State, the Peace Garden State, and the Flickertail State. Bismarck is the state capital. North Dakota is the nation’s leading producer of wheat, and it has large reserves of lignite coal and natural gas. Children can learn more at: North Dakota.
South Dakota Flag
Mount Rushmore
South Dakota became the fortieth state of the United States in 1889. The two states’ names stem from a Sioux word dakota, meaning allies. People first came to South Dakota in search of gold. Then raising cattle became a means of living. Its nickname is the Coyote State, and Pierre is the state capital. Two important attractions are the Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore National Monument. South Dakota ranks seventeenth in area but is the 5th least populated state. Children can visit the America’s Library site at: South Dakota.
Cheerleading started in 1898. Johnny Campbell, a student at the University of Minnesota, became the college’s first cheerleader when he led the cheer, “Rah! Rah! Rah! Ski-u-mah! Hoo-rah! Hoo-rah! Varsity! Varsity! Varsity, Minn-e-So-Tah!” The idea of cheerleading spread, but women did not cheer until 1923. During World War II, as men were drafted into the military, more women became cheerleaders.
Sputnik 2, a Soviet spacecraft, was launched in 1957. The Russian spacecraft was the second craft to be launched into earth orbit. It carried the first animal, a dog named Laika, into space. Unfortunately, the dog died hours into the mission from excessive heat and stress.