History

A reading of the Declaration of Independence
Over the past 32 years, Morning Edition has broadcast a reading of the Declaration of Independence by NPR staff as a way of marking Independence Day. This year, they also offer some historical context.
Confederate soldier shirt that saved a Minnesotan is at Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society has acquired a rare Civil War battlefield relic. The descendants of a Minnesota soldier wounded near Nashville, Tenn., in 1864 have donated a Confederate uniform shirt Henry Mills used to bind his wound, survive the war and return to St. Paul.
Retired NPR reporter Tom Gjelten speaks at the College of St. Scholastica about his book, “A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story.”
How Spam became one of the most iconic American brands of all time
Over 80 years ago, Hormel Foods introduced a simple, canned meat product called Spam. It would go on to become one of the greatest marketing success stories of all time.
An ode to mac and cheese, the poster child for processed food
A food historian explains how the popular boxed dinner played an important role in kitchen science, wars and women's liberation.
History Theatre Radio Hour: Hubert Humphrey's contentious relationship with LBJ
A short radio play by Jeffrey Hatcher called “All the Way with LBJ,” followed by discussion with former Vice President Walter Mondale, former Minnesota Attorney General Hubert “Skip” Humphrey and historian Hy Berman.
Johnson County, Iowa, renames itself after a different Johnson
The county was first named after a slave-owning former vice president who had no connection to Iowa. Now it will be named for Lulu Merle Johnson: the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in the state.
New owners for Duluth's Viking ship — and possibly soon, a new home
The Duluth City Council voted unanimously Monday to donate the replica Viking vessel to the local nonprofit group Save our Ship, which was founded in 1985 to restore the ship and build a permanent display structure to protect it from the weather and allow for public viewing.