FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 8, 2025

CONTACT:  Kevin Larsen, Media Coordinator, (605) 773-6000, Kevin.Larsen@state.sd.us

Two Lights for Tomorrow happening in Pierre April 18^th

PIERRE, S.D. – “…One if by land, two if by sea, And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready to ride and spread the alarm.”  

Those words are from the memorable poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow describing the two lanterns that patriots placed in the Old North Church on April 18, 1775, signaling to Paul Revere that British forces were coming. Revere and other riders spread the alarm prompting 20,000 Massachusetts militia to respond. To mark the occasion, South Dakota will join over 30 other states and participate in, “Two Lights for Tomorrow” as part of the nation’s commemorations of the upcoming celebration of the country’s 250^th birthday.

The America’s 250^th South Dakota Commission Chair and State Historian Dr. Ben Jones collaborated with Bureau of Human Resources and Administration Commissioner Darin Seeley and his BHRA staff to mark the occasion. “Two Lights for Tomorrow” is one way South Dakota will highlight key events in the run-up to the Revolution while we work to educate, engage, and unite South Dakotans around this momentous anniversary.   

Each state will mark the occasion differently, but nearly all are putting out two lights on their Capitol dome. In Pierre, the Capitol dome will beacon the “two lights” from 8pm CT on April 18^th until April 19^th CT at 8am. 

Churches, schools, businesses, and other government buildings are encouraged to participate in in ways that meet their needs. For more information about South Dakota’s efforts for America 250 visit Americas250th.sd.gov or the national web site at America250.org.

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About the South Dakota State Historical Society

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Education. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is headquartered in Pierre. For questions or memberships, call (605) 773-3458 or visit history.sd.gov. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.