Minnesota History

Stories from the Civilian Conservation Corps
During the Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps helped propel the conservation of Minnesota's natural resources, and it gave more than 77,000 Minnesotans with jobs. Author Barbara Sommer captures the stories of these workers in her new book, "Hard Work and a Good Deal: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Minnesota." She joins Midday to discuss her book as part of our coverage of Minnesota's sesquicentennial.
New movie is based on old-time Duluth football team
A new movie with Duluth as its backdrop opens next week. "Leatherheads," a comedy about the early days of professional football, is loosely based on the real-life Duluth Eskimos. A local historian tells us more about the Eskimos.
Guitarist researches lost songs of Minnesota's Irish lumberjacks
As recently as 100 years ago, Minnesota's north woods were alive with the sounds of axe, saw -- and song. But most of those songs were lost to the ages, except for a handful collected by a University of Minnesota professor in the 1920s.
Tales of a fourth grade opera
Fourth graders at Linwood A+ Elementary in St. Paul created an opera to celebrate Minnesota's 150th birthday.
Book explores history through the story of one family
In a new book Southwest State University historian Joseph Amato traces the story of his family across North America and Europe. In "Jacob's Well: A Case for Rethinking Family History," Amato talks about his ancestors and uses their stories to put a human face on historical events.
How the 1968 New Hampshire primary changed history
It's been 40 years since the 1968 New Hampshire primary that made Eugene McCarthy, a U.S. senator from Minnesota, a viable Democratic presidential candidate in a race that took down sitting President Lyndon B. Johnson. Midday explores this historic primary and how it changed history.
Walter Mondale reflects on 80 years
Walter Mondale, former vice president, U.S. senator and ambassador, and former Democratic presidential nominee, celebrates 80 years and looks to the future.