State Profile » Minnesota History
Welcome to Minnesota, the "Land of 10,000 Lakes. In fact, Minnesota has 12,000 lakes for a combined total of 90,000 miles of shoreline - more than California, Florida and Hawaii combined! The world's third largest river, the Mississippi, also begins its 2,552-mile journey at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota.
About 10,000 years ago, most of the area was covered by mile-thick glaciers. As they melted, the glaciers created many lakes and rivers. Minnesota even gets its name from the Dakota word minisota, meaning "water that reflects the sky." Minnesota is also known as the Gopher State, and as the North Star State, a translation of the French inscription on the state seal, L'Etoile du Nord.
More Minnesota facts:
- Capital: St. Paul
- Statehood: May 11, 1858, the 32nd state
- Population: 4,919,479 (as of 2000) [21st most populous state in the USA]
- Total Area: 12th among states, 225,181 sq km (79,610 sq mi)
- Bordering States: Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- Bordering Country: Canada
- Number of lakes (over 10 acres): 11,842 (4,967,510 acres).
- State Bird: Common Loon
- State Fish: Walleye
- State Flower: Pink and White Lady's Slipper
- State Tree: Norway Pine
- State Mushroom: Morel
- State Grain: Wild Rice
- State Muffin: Blueberry
- State Gemstone: Lake Superior Agate
- State Drink: Milk
- State Song: "Hail! Minnesota"
- Motto: "The Star of the North"
Minnesota also hosts a variety of tourist attractions and world-famous sites. The doctors at Mayo Clinic in Rochester draw patients from around the world, just as Bloomington's Mall of America, the nation's largest retail and entertainment complex attracts shoppers from nearly everywhere. The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis offers shows throughout the year for theater connoisseurs, and the Ordway in St. Paul is sure to satisfy the appetite of opera fans. Sports fans can catch a Vikings football game, a Timberwolves basketball game, a Twins baseball game or a Wild hockey game in Minneapolis' Metrodome and St. Paul's Xcel Center. In the summer, the best farmers, craftsman, cooks and entertainers from throughout the state come together and compete at the 12-day Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, showcasing the state's amazing farmers and producers. Visitors can munch on anything from corn dogs to deep-fried snickers bars while perusing the blue-ribbon livestock on Machinery Hill. Redwood County also hosts Farm Fest - the largest outdoor agricultural event in the Midwest - with a plethora of agricultural exhibits from quilting and food preservation to the newest farming techniques and livestock feeds. But the fun in Minnesota doesn't end in the summer. Throughout the year people can visit the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, the first and only all-freshwater aquarium in America. Children, adults, beginners and Great Lakes experts alike can learn more about these important waterways from the 170,000 gallons of freshwater displays, 70 species of fish, 30 animal species and more than 30 interactive exhibits. From St. Paul's January Winter Carnival to the Taste of Minnesota in July, there is something for everyone year-round in the North Star state.
Number of recreational boats per capita: one boat per every six people, more than any other state.
Number of individuals who go fishing: 2.3 million
Minneapolis has more golfers per capita than any other city in the country.
The Mall of America: the size of 78 football fields --- 9.5 million square feet.
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the largest urban sculpture garden in the country.
The Guthrie Theater: the largest regional playhouse in the country.
Minneapolis' skyway system: connects 52 blocks (nearly five miles) of downtown, making it possible to live, eat, work and shop without going outside.
Southdale Center: the first enclosed climate-controlled suburban shopping mall in America.
The Metrodome: the only facility in the country to host a Super Bowl, a World Series and a NCAA Final Four Basketball Championship.
Although Minnesota did not officially become a state until 1858, the area has hosted an unparalleled array of history, inventors and politicians. Dakota Indians have been living in the area for more than 5,000 years, and their influence is still clear today in the many names throughout the state that originate from the Dakota language. Minnesota is also proud of many one-time residents who went on the find fame. Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of Little House on the Prairie, spent time near Walnut Grove before penning her famous novels. Charles Lindbergh, the first man to complete a solo, nonstop transatlantic flight, grew up on a farm near Little Falls, and actress Judy Garland lived in Grand Rapids before clicking her ruby slippers to Hollywood. But the state's native sons and daughters have also contributed politically to the country. St. Paul's Herb Brooks coached the famed "Miracle in Ice" hockey team to victory against Soviets in the 1980 Olympics - an important symbolic victory for Cold War America. Former Vice President, U.S. Senator, Mayor of Minneapolis and Democratic presidential candidate Hubert H. Humphrey of Waverly, coordinated the federal Civil Rights activities during President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration. Walter F. Mondale, born in Ceylon, also served as a U.S. Senator, Vice President, Democratic presidential candidate and Ambassador to Japan.
Minnesota's industries and inventions have also contributes greatly to the country - particularly in times of hardship. During the Second World War the iron industry in Northern Minnesota provided crucial resources for weapons, planes and tanks. During peacetime, Minnesota's institutions of higher education have kept the state on the cutting edge of developments. The black box flight recorder and seat belt, just to name a few, were both developed at the University of Minnesota.
Minnesota is also proud of the unique role its soldiers played in ensuring Union victory at the infamous Battle of Gettysburg - later recognized as the turning point of the Civil War.
On the second day of the battle, the First Minnesota regiment's heroic charge saved the army from what seemed like certain defeat. After Union troops were pushed back by Confederates, it appeared that their advantageous high-ground position would almost surely fall before reinforcements came. Instead, the 262 men of First Minnesota charged Confederate troops who outnumbered them almost four to one.
Although more than 80 percent of the regiment was lost during the legendary engagement - the highest battle casualties suffered by any Union regiment during the War - their bravery held back the Confederates and saved the Union from near defeat. The following day, Pickett would lead an ill fated charge against the Union lines. But with the Northern artillery positions still in place, Pickett's Charge would be doomed to fail.
The Kensington Rune stone: found in 1898 near Alexandria, the stone carvings allegedly tell of a journey of a band of Vikings in 1362.
Private Milburn Henke of Hutchinson was the first enlisted man to land with the first American Expeditionary Force in Europe in WWII on January 26, 1942.
The Bergquist cabin, built in 1870 by John Bergquist, a Swedish immigrant, is the oldest house in Moorhead still on its original site.
Minnesota Inventions: Masking and Scotch tape, Wheaties cereal, Bisquick, HMOs, the bundt pan, Aveda beauty products, and Green Giant vegetables
Open heart surgery and bone marrow transplants first occurred in the United States at the University of Minnesota.
Laura Ingalls Wilder lived on Plum Creek near Walnut Grove Minnesota.
More Minnesota inventions: The stapler, water skis, automatic pop up toaster, rollerblades, armored cars, and the snow mobile.
Hormel of Austin introduced Spam in 1937.
|