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Minnesota History

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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Dylan on Dylan

Singing legend Bob Dylan's autobiography "Chronicles" was released this week. Since Dylan rarely gives interviews and has never written about his life before, the book is a unique opportunity to learn more about the life of an American icon. Filmmaker Mary Feidt is putting together a documentary about Dylan's childhood in Minnesota. He was born Robert Zimmerman in Duluth and grew up in Hibbing. Feidt told MPR's Cathy Wurzer she was eager to read "Chronicles" and find out Dylan's impressions of Minnesota. The working title of Mary Feidt's forthcoming documentary is "Tangled up in Bob."
by Cathy Wurzer

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New book on Duluth lynching of a Finnish dockworker

It's safe to say that, until a new book was released this week, not many Minnesotans knew of a lynching in Duluth's history. "Suomalaiset: People of the Marsh" looks at the death of a Finnish dockworker, whose body was found swinging from a tree in Duluth's Lester Park. Was the death a suicide or murder? It is a question that author Mark Munger tries to answer.

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Beer maker stays independent

Life's not easy for small businesses. Either a big corporation is squeezing your future, or you're scratching for money to fix some machine. Survive 10 years and you're an old-timer. Last 144 years and you're a legend. The August Schell Brewing Co. of New Ulm has attained legend status. The family-owned business has survived war, Prohibition, the Great Depression and cut-throat beer competition.

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