Minnesota History

WWII Medal of Honor recipient laid to rest Saturday
Funeral services are tomorrow in Duluth for the last living Medal of Honor recipient in Minnesota. Mike Colalillo earned the honor during World War II. The West Duluth resident died last week at the age of 86. Nearly four years ago, Colalillo spoke with MPR's Mark Steil about his experiences during World War II. Steil's original report aired in January 2008.
The Ford assembly plant in St. Paul is closing down for good on Dec. 16, after a century of auto manufacturing in the Twin Cities. The history of the plant mirrored the development of the entire auto industry. Historian Brian McMahon takes us on a photographic tour.
Restoration project brings war relic, memories back to life for veterans
A 46-year-old war relic is being brought painstakingly back to life by a group of Minnesota military veterans. The veterans have volunteered hundreds of hours of their time for almost a year to restore an UH-1H helicopter flown in Vietnam.
The Humphrey Minnesota knows took shape in S.D.
Hubert Humphrey is a political icon in Minnesota, but he was born 100 years ago -- May 27, 1911 -- in South Dakota, where his small hometown of Doland still fondly remembers its favorite son. As he climbed the political ladder, Humphrey remembered his roots in Doland -- a place that instilled in him the values that would define him and steer him toward public service.
Minnesota history: The Civil War and training at Fort Snelling
It was 150 years ago this month when hundreds of young Minnesota men began their training at Fort Snelling to fight in the Civil War. Minnesota was the first state to offer troops for the Union effort. At the Minnesota Capitol today, those who fought will be honored during Minnesota's Civil War Sesquicentennial Day.
Remembering Ferraro's historic run for vice president
Former New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro died on Saturday at the age of 75. Midday presents an encore broadcast of a conversation with her and Vice President Walter Mondale at the University of Minnesota, about their history-making run for the White House in 1984. Ferraro was the first woman to be nominated as a vice presidential candidate by a major political party.
Mondale on Ferraro: 'I think she changed America'
Geraldine Ferraro died Saturday at the age of 75. Ferraro made history 27 years ago when she joined Walter Mondale's presidential campaign, accepting the vice presidential spot on the ticket.