* 1861: Dakota Territory is created by an act of Congress.
* 1863: The capital of Dakota Territory is moved from Yankton to Vermillion.
* 1868: The first railroad reaches Dakota Territory.
* 1872: The Dakota Territory is divided into two territories, North Dakota and South Dakota.
* 1889: South Dakota becomes a state of the United States.
Note: The territorial days of South Dakota were a time of great growth and change. The population of the territory increased rapidly, and many new towns and cities were founded. The economy diversified as more and more people came to the territory to farm, ranch, and mine. The territorial days were a time of both great challenge and great opportunity for those who lived in South Dakota.