History

Lindsay Chervinsky’s new book ‘Making the Presidency’ teaches us about the past and present
Historian Lindsay Chervinsky’s new book, “Making the Presidency,” is a profile of John Adams. But it’s also an instructive examination of how the presidency has evolved to become what it is today.
Twin Cities Green Book sites were touchstones for Black travelers in the segregation era
During the era of Jim Crow laws and racial segregation, 87 locations in Minnesota were listed in the Green Book, which helped Black travelers find businesses that would serve them. But less than a quarter of these sites in Minnesota remain standing today.
Researchers link a gene to the emergence of spoken language
Why did humans start speaking? Scientists suggest genetics played a big role. They say the evolution of this singular ability has been key to our survival. A new study links a particular gene to the ancient origins of spoken language.
YouTube turns 20 years old today
Twenty years ago, three former PayPal employees activated the domain name “YouTube.com.” The first YouTube video followed soon after.
From territory to today: Mapping Minnesota’s Black history
In celebration of Black History Month in February, MPR News is highlighting Black history throughout the state. From a fur trader believed to be one of the first African descendants in a territory that is now Minnesota, to streets and parks renamed in 2024 after Black community leaders, these sites span the state and the centuries.
Auschwitz holds observances on the 80th anniversary of the death camp's liberation
Elderly camp survivors, some wearing striped scarves that recall their prison uniforms, walked to the the Death Wall, where prisoners were executed. Across Europe, officials were pausing to remember.
Mapping Prejudice Project granted access to Stearns County property records
Stearns County commissioners on Tuesday voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the University of Minnesota Libraries so they could comb for racial covenants — clauses in property deeds that barred specific ethnic groups from owning homes or land.
On the brink of the inauguration, historians reflect on America's trajectory
As Inauguration Day approaches, we ask historians who’ve written books about America’s past reflect on America’s future. Does this moment have a parallel, or are we truly in unprecedented times?
Curator talks archiving Walz’s bid for VP, preserving political legacies
While brief, Gov. Tim Walz’s bid for vice president will add another chapter to his legacy in politics, and the Minnesota Historical Society has gotten a jumpstart on preserving it.