On this date in 1893, acting on a petition by the Women’s Auxiliary to the World’s Fair, Senator William B. Dean offered a resolution in the Minnesota Senate recommending that the “Wild Lady’s Slipper” or “Moccasin Flower” (Cypripedium calceolus) be named the Minnesota state flower. The resolution was later adopted by both Senate and House. […]
General
1680-04-11
On this date in 1680, Father Louis Hennepin and two companions are captured at Lake Pepin by a Dakota war party. Hennepin, a Roman Catholic priest and missionary, had been sent along with Michel Accault and Antoine Auguelle (Picard du Gay) to explore the section of the Mississippi north of the Illinois River. The men […]
1852-03-06
On this date in 1852, Hennepin County is created by the Minnesota Territorial Legislature. The county is named for Father Louis Hennepin, a Franciscan missionary who discovered and named the Falls of St. Anthony in 1680. In 1682, Hennepin published an account of his travels to the area called A Description of Louisiana, newly discovered […]
1854-03-04
On this date in 1854, the City of Saint Paul is incorporated. At the time, the city had an area of four square miles. In the early 1800s, fur traders, explorers, and missionaries originally settled in the area that is today Saint Paul, attracted by the protection of nearby Fort Snelling. In 1841, Father Lucien […]
1849-03-03
On this date in 1849, the Minnesota Territory is organized. Signed into existence by President James K. Polk, the territory was split from the Wisconsin and Iowa Territories and included present-day North and South Dakota east of the Missouri River, in addition to, what is today the State of Minnesota. The territory contained three cities: […]
