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Minnesota History

How a camera changed photojournalism

The photos are graphic and captivating. Former St. Paul Pioneer Press reporter Larry Millet has unearthed more than 200 images of car accidents, murders and suicides for his book, "Strange Days, Dangerous Nights," which chronicles the sensational press photography of the 1930s, '40s and '50s.

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Minnesota vet remembers Pearl Harbor

Ralph Krafnick of St. Cloud was getting ready to play a morning baseball game 63 years ago Tuesday. His team was made up of crew members from the USS New Orleans, docked at Pearl Harbor. The morning attack stopped their weekly baseball game, sunk 18 ships, killed 2,400 soldiers and cast the U.S. into World War II. For Krafnick, 87, the memory of that day is clear.

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A dark time for Finns recounted in new novel

In the early 1930s, Soviet recruiters persuaded thousands of Finnish-Americans from northern Minnesota to move to Stalin's Russia. They thought they were going to build a utopia, but many ended up as Stalin's victims. A Minnesota author, William Durbin, has written a new book for young people which describes the painful episode.

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Remembering Pearl Harbor and FDR's letter to the future

Today is the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 63 years ago, December 7th, 1941. A little over a week after that tragic event, President Franklin Roosevelt took the time to look past the immediate crisis, and wrote a letter to the future, with every faith there would be a recognizable future. Classical Music host Bill Morelock reads that letter.

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Bound for Brainerd

A new picture book documents the landmarks on the drive between the Twin Cities and Minnesota's lake country. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked to the author recently. Listen to the interview and browse through the pictures.

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Elmer L. Andersen dead at 95

The man known as, "Minnesota's leading citizen" has died. Former Republican Gov. Elmer L. Andersen died Monday evening at the age of 95. Although Andersen served as the state's governor from 1961 to 1963, he's probably better known more for what he accomplished outside of that office. And for Andersen, that's a long list: President and CEO of a billion dollar company, newspaper publisher, environmental leader, civil rights leader and philanthropist.

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A Civil War veteran finally remembered

Henry Johnson lay in an unmarked grave for 76 years. Now, thanks to help from a great granddaughter, the Civil War veteran is properly memorialized.

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Hermann the German rises again

A southern Minnesota landmark returned to its lofty pedestal Tuesday in New Ulm. A crane lifted Hermann the German, all 32 feet of him, into place. The copper statue was taken down about a year and a half ago to repair more than 100 years of wear.

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"Loyal Mdewakantons" win land dispute

A federal judge has ruled in favor of 1,200 Minnesota Mdewakanton Dakota who say they have the right to three key parcels of land in the state. The contested land is currently occupied by three other tribal communities in Minnesota. The judge's ruling is centered on an 1886 agreement the plaintiffs contend the U.S. government made with their ancestors following the Dakota Conflict.

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'A Glorious Burden'

As the nation looks ahead to choosing its next president on Nov. 2, an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center takes a look at presidents of the past. "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden," is a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution. It's in Minnesota through next May.

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