Minn. historian Hy Berman passes away at 90

Hy Berman, one of Minnesota's most prominent historians, passed away over the weekend. He was 90 years old.

Berman grew up on the east coast, but embraced the history of his new home after he was hired by the University of Minnesota in 1961.

Much of his research focused on labor history, and Berman described himself as a public historian.

Over time, he became the expert that members of the media would turn to when they wanted to learn more about our state's history.

In 1998, he sat down with MPR news anchor Gary Eichten to talk about his life and career.

Berman says like many of his generation, he was the child of working class immigrants who wanted something more for their children.