History

Minnesota voices from the front lines of World War II
From MPR's Minnesota Sounds and Voices series come two accounts from Minnesotans caring for the wounded during World War II. Dr. John Linner was a Navy doctor and served in battles at both Normandy and Okinawa. Bloomington resident Avis Schorer talks about her harrowing experience as an Army nurse during the invasion of Anzio in Italy.
The story of Minnesota's protest tradition
MPR News presents two interviews from our Minnesota Voices series on the history of political protest in Minnesota. The program begins with a remembrance of anti-war protester and civil rights activist Marv Davidof who died recently. Reporter Dan Olson also interviews historian Rhoda Gilman, who's out with a new book, "Stand Up: the Story of Minnesota's Protest Tradition."
The Dakota War, and Gov. Henry Sibley in retrospect
As we head into the somber commemoration of the Dakota War this year, we thought it appropriate to call in historian Annette Atkins to help us learn more about Gov. Henry Sibley and his times, and the events that laid the groundwork for the war.
US Archives unveils Magna Carta after repairs
A 715-year old copy of Magna Carta will soon return to public view at the National Archives after a conservation effort removed old patches and repaired weak spots in the English declaration of human rights that inspired the United States' founding documents.
White House Tapes: the secret phone recordings of three presidents
The last of the secret recordings President John F. Kennedy made while in office were just released to the public this week. Midday presents a 2003 American RadioWorks documentary about some of the secretly taped phone conversations of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. "The President Calling" reveals the style and political skills of these three leaders through their conversations.
The wisdom of Gov. Elmer Andersen
Gov. Elmer Andersen, known as "Minnesota's leading citizen," had an impressive list of accomplishments in and out of office. Midday presents excerpts from an interview in 2000 and his speech to the Minnesota Legislature in 2001, in which he shares some of the lessons he learned as a successful businessman, politician, and philanthropist.
MLK biographer Taylor Branch on Dr. King's legacy
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Taylor Branch will deliver the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Lecture at Gustavus Adolphus College. Branch is considered the preeminent biographer of Martin Luther King Jr. and has written a trilogy of books that document the Civil Rights era.