President John F. Kennedy visited South Dakota on August 17, 1962. While Kennedy was here, he dedicated the recently completed Oahe Dam and the start of its full operation as an electric power plant.

The film clip below shows the arrival of Air Force One at the Pierre airport. Assembled dignitaries greet Kennedy, including Governor Archie Gubbrud and then-U.S. Senate candidate George McGovern.

Images of the Past JFK in Pierre, SD - 1962 President John F. Kennedy visited Pierre, South Dakota, on August 17, 1962.

This still image from the film and the photo below it show Kennedy meeting Governor Gubbrud and candidate McGovern.

  SD State Historical Society

The still image below shows Kennedy speaking at the Oahe Dam dedication

SD State Historical Society

Listen to Kennedy's Speech:

For Teachers: Activity idea is available at SDPB's Digital Learning Library .

For more information about presidential visits to South Dakota, visit the South Dakota State Historical Society Press Web site and view or download "Patriotic Pageantry: Presidential Visits to South Dakota" by Harold H. Schuler.