STATE DATA

Abbreviation: SD

Nickname: The Mount Rushmore State

Capital: Pierre

Official language: English

State Motto: Under God the people rule

Admitted to Union: November 2nd 1889 as the 40th state

Population: about 865.000

German-Americans: more than 334.000 - about 46% - Biggest ethnic group in South Dakota!

THE STAR IN THE BANNER

REGIONAL-PARTNER

Regional German-American institutions

- Rushmore German Club, Rapid city - rushmoregermanclub.com

- South Dakota Deutscher Club, Rapid City

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German fests/ events

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German Restaurants

- Alpine Inn, Hill City

- Restaurant at Bavarian Inn Motel, Custer

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Stores specialized on German goods

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Towns with German Background

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Additional information

- Many Germans from Russia (mostly descendants of Swabians/Alemans) came to South Dakota and the middle West in the 19^th century. Their experiences as a minority in Russia made it especially important for them to maintain their German language and culture in America.

- South Dakota’s official State Dessert is German Kuchen.

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Literature about Germans here

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Additional state Symbols

State bird: Ring necked pheasant

State Drink: Milk

State Flower: American pasque flower

State Tree: Black hills spruce

State Insect: Western honey bee

State Gemstone: Fairburn agate

State fish: Walleye

State Animal: Coyote

State Song: Hail, South Dakota

State dessert: Kuchen!!! - in German!!! - Kuchen!!!