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Twenty-five years ago Wednesday, Minnesota was in the international spotlight because of a pair of unlikely visitors. 

Then-Gov. Rudy Perpich invited Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to visit, and Gorbachev took Perpich up on the offer.  

Gorbachev and his wife Raisa were in town June 3, 1990, for just a few hours for several carefully planned stops at various sites, including the home of the Watson family in Minneapolis.  

They were chosen to play host to Raisa Gorbachev during her visit.  

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Steve Watson about the anniversary. All these years later, the Watsons still live in that same house in south Minneapolis.

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Mikhail Gorbachev and his wife Raisa were in town June 3, 1990, for just a few hours for several carefully planned stops at various sites, including the home of the Watson family in Minneapolis.

Twenty-five years ago today, Minnesota was in the international spotlight because of an unlikely visitor.  Then Gov. Rudy Perpich invited Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to visit, and Gorbachev took Perpich up on the offer.  Gorbachev and wife Raisa were in town June 3, 1990 for just a few hours, for several carefully planned stops at various sites, including the home of the Watson family in Minneapolis.  The Watsons were chosen to play host to MRS. Gorbachev during her visit.   We thought we'd check in with that family now, 25 years later.  It turns out Steve and Karen Watson, the parents of four young kids at the time, still live in that same house in south Minneapolis.  MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Steve Watson.

Mrs. Gorbachev visit 25 years ago a special moment for Mpls. family

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