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US State Seals

State Seals

Find information and history of the official state seal of each of the states.

South Dakota Symbols

South Dakota State Seal

Great Seal of the State of South Dakota

Adopted in 1885.

Even before South Dakota officially gained statehood, the state had adopted the design for an official seal. South Dakota became a state in 1889, and the seal was defined in 1885.

The official seal is a picturesque representation of South Dakota's commerce, industry, and natural resources. The state's motto "Under God the People Rule", appears over the inner circle. Within the circle is a background of sky and hills. A river runs through agricultural and industrial land. Mining is represented with a smelting furnace. A steam ship plies the waters of the river. A farmer plows a field in front of a herd of cattle and a cornfield. The outer circle of the seal bears the words "State of South Dakota", and "Great Seal 1889".

State Seals

In days when communications were transcribed by hand and tediously undertaken, seals served to authenticate official government documents. In this day of computers and instant communications, seals still serve the same purpose.

great seal
noun

The principal seal of a government or state, with which official documents are are stamped as proof of having been approved or certified