South Dakota marks the second Monday of October as Native American Day rather than Columbus Day. When South Dakota gathers, it does so at a scale that can surprise first-time visitors.

The state replaced Columbus Day with Native American Day in 1990.

What sets it apart

Schools and communities mark the day with cultural programs. Small as it sounds, it is exactly the sort of thing that defines the experience on the ground.

It reflects the deep Native presence across South Dakota.

Why it matters

In the end, the story here is really a story about the northern plains and the people drawn to them. For the crowds who return year after year, it has become a fixture of the South Dakota calendar.