AMERICA250 | Roundup of Revolutionary facts from our special signers section
Learn about South Dakota connections to two famous Founders, Washington’s whereabouts, what’s on the Declaration (a woman’s name?) and what's not (a map!)
The Dakota Scout holds these truths to be self-evident: We are all created equal, life, liberty and property remain unalienable rights, and the United States of America is still history’s best example of these virtues being reflected by people through representative government. We celebrated America’s enduring spirit with a June 26 special section focusing on the 56 men who risked life, liberty and treasure 250 years ago in signing OUR Declaration of Independence.
In addition to stories, its pages are peppered with curious facts about America’s founding that we’re sharing here. (Note: This Revolutionary roundup of tidbits from the special section may help improve your score on our annual quiz.)
Two signers played key role in S.D. history
The Revolutionary War that stirred up so much activity in the 13 colonies had no direct effect on South Dakota. But two signers were instrumental to our state.
First, as president, Thomas Jefferson famously bought the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon in 1803, the best land deal in history, acquiring the land where South Dakota and many other states eventually would exist.
And on Nov. 2, 1889, our 23rd president, Benjamin Harrison, signed North and South Dakota into law as the 39th and 40th states in the Union. His great-grandfather was Benjamin Harrison V of Virginia, who signed the Declaration.
More content from The Scout’s America250 coverage
The Declaration’s truths still reverberate across U.S., around the world
Test your 1776 knowledge about the Founding in our semiquincentennial quiz
The men who risked all to declare liberty deserve our thanks
