On this date in 1895, Elmer A. Benson is born in Appleton. As a member of the Farmer-Labor (later DFL) Party, he served as U.S. Senator for a year, from 1935-1936, replacing Thomas D. Schall who had passed away while in office. In 1936, Benson was elected Minnesota’s twenty-fourth governor by the largest margin in state […]
Politics
2002-10-25
On this date in 2002, Senator Paul Wellstone, along with seven others, die in a plane crash in northern Minnesota. The other victims in the crash were his wife, Sheila; one of his three children, Marcia; the two pilots, his driver, and two campaign staffers.
1825-10-17
On this date in 1825, Minnesota’s fifth governor, William Rainey Marshall, is born near Columbia in Boone County, Missouri. Marshall spent a number of years in Illinois and Western Wisconsin before moving to St. Paul in 1849 to open a hardware business.
1857-10-13
On this date in 1857, the Minnesota state constitution is ratified by a popular vote of 30,055 for and 571 against ratification. The procedure for acquiring statehood not only required the constitution to be approved by the voters of Minnesota, but it also required the approval of Congress.
1919-10-28
On this date in 1919, Congress passes the Volstead Act, enacted to carry out the intent of the 18th Amendment, which established prohibition on liquor sales in the United States. Andrew J. Volstead, a congressman from Minnesota and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, had introduced the bill.
