Information and history of the state of Minnesota

The first Europeans in the area were French fur traders who arrived in the 17th century.

The portion of the state east of the Mississippi River became part of the United States at the end of the American Revolutionary War, when the Second Treaty of Paris was signed. Land west of the Mississippi River was acquired with the Louisiana Purchase.

Minnesota became the 32nd U.S. state on May 11, 1858.

Some Minnesota Symbols

1. State Bird	2. State Muffin	3. State Flower	4. State Gemstone	5. State Reptile
6. State Tree	7. State Fruit	8. State Mushroom	9. State Fish	10. State Soil

1. Common Loon - The common loon was adopted as the official state bird symbol of Minnesota in 1961. Loons are known for their cries, wails, and yodels - their eerie, echoing calls are a distinctive feature of Minnesota’s northern lakes.
2. Blueberry Muffin- Minnesota designated the blueberry muffin as the official state muffin in 1988. Wild blueberries are native to northeastern Minnesota, growing in bogs, on hillsides, and in cut-over forested areas.
3. Pink and White Lady’s Slipper - The pink and white lady’s slipper was designated the official state flower of Minnesota in 1902.
4. Lake Superior Agate -Minnesota designated Lake Superior agate as the official state gemstone in 1969. An unusually beautiful quartz stone banded with rich red and orange colors.
5. Blanding's Turtle - The Blanding's turtle was proposed as the official state reptile of Minnesota in 1998.
6. Red Pine - Minnesota designated the red pine as the official state tree in 1953.
7. Honeycrisp Apple - Minnesota designated the Honeycrisp apple as the official state fruit in 2006.
8. Morel Mushroom - Minnesota designated the morel mushroom as the official state mushroom in 1984. These delicious mushrooms are considered a rare delicacy by mushroom hunters.
9. Walleye - Minnesota designated the walleye as the official state fish in 1965.
10. Lester Soil - Minnesota designated the Lester soil series as the official state soil in 2012.

Did you know?

• In 1898, the Kensington Rune stone was found on the farm of Olaf Ohman, near Alexandria. The Kensington Rune stone carvings allegedly tell of a journey of a band of Vikings in 1362.
• Candy maker Frank C. Mars of Minnesota introduced the Milky Way candy bar in 1923. Mars marketed the Snickers bar in 1930 and introduced the 5 cent Three Musketeers bar in 1937.
• The stapler was invented in Spring Valley.
• Minneapolis’ famed skyway system connecting 52 blocks (nearly five miles) of downtown makes it possible to live, eat, work and shop without going outside.
• The first Automatic Pop-up toaster was marketed in June 1926 by McGraw Electric Co. in Minneapolis under the name Toastmaster. The retail price was $13.50.
• The Guthrie Theater is the largest regional playhouse in the country.
• The first open heart surgery and the first bone marrow transplant in the United States were done at the University of Minnesota.