This Day in History: May 11, 1858

Minnesota, The North Star State, The Gopher State,
The 'Bread and Butter' State, Land of 10,000 Lakes

Three great rivers, the mighty Mississippi, the Red River of the North, and the St. Lawrence all begin their long journeys within the state of Minnesota. The source of the Mississippi had been sought for years, and it was finally discovered at Lake Itasca, MN where it begins its 2,552-mile path to the sea.

Aerial America: Minnesota

Soar over Minnesota, where the Mighty Mississippi begins and the blue Midwestern sky never ends. This aerial exploration of the North Star State whisks you across ancient glacial landscapes, iconic bodies of water, and the farm towns that have fed our county for over a century. From warring settlers and Indians, to battling flour titans, and from the massive Mall of America to the mythical Lake Wobegon, see how Minnesota is more than the "Land of 10,000 Lakes."

The portion of Minnesota 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, although a portion of the Red River Valley was disputed until the Treaty of 1818. Minnesota Territory was formed on March 3, 1849 and Minnesota became the 32nd U.S. state on May 11, 1858. It formally adopted the French phrase "L'Etoile du nord" (The Star of the North) as the official state motto in 1861.

Minnesota is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States.

Minnesota State Flag

The present state flag of Minnesota was adopted in 1957.
The flag is royal blue with the state seal displayed in the center.
Three dates are woven into a wreath surrounding the seal which represent :

The year of statehood (1858);
The year Fort Snelling was established (1819); and
The year the original flag was adopted(1893).

The nineteen stars arranged outside the wreath symbolize the fact that
Minnesota was the 19th state to enter the Union after the original thirteen.
The largest star represents the North Star and Minnesota.

Minnesota State Seal

Land Conservation Film from the 1930's
about the newly expanded efforts of the
Dept of the Interior throughout Minnesota

Lindbergh's First Dreams of Flight

Charles Lindbergh's dreams of flight took off at a young age,
when an airplane flying over Little Falls, Minnesota
captured his imagination.

http://www.gracebyenstrom.com/history.html

Minnesota State Photograph

"Grace" by Eric Enstrom is a much-loved world famous picture. In 1918, Enstrom was preparing a portfolio of pictures to take with him to a convention of the Minnesota Photographer's Association.

"I wanted to take a picture that would show people that even though they had to do without many things because of the war they still had much to be thankful for," Enstom said.

In 2002, Minnesota designated "Grace" as the official state photograph.

Minnesota State Muffin: Blueberry Muffin

Breakfast time should always begin with 'grace' since it represents the start of the day. What better way to begin a new day than with a piping hot, freshly baked 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.

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Minnesota/StateFruitApple.html

Honeycrisp Apple

Minnesota designated the Honeycrisp™ apple as the official state fruit in 2006. A cross of Macoun and Honeygold apples, Honeycrisp™ apples have an exceptionally crisp and juicy texture. Developed by the University of Minnesota's apple breeding program, they are now grown across the United States, Canada, and as far away as South Africa and New Zealand.

Click for recipe: Minnesota Honeycrisp Apple Praline Cake

Minnesota State Flower - Pink and White Lady's Slipper

The pink and white lady’s slipper (Cypripedium reginae) was designated the official state flower of Minnesota in 1902. Lady's slippers can live up to 50 years but develop slowly, taking up to 16 years to produce their first flower. Since 1925 this rare wildflower has been protected by Minnesota state law (it is illegal to pick the flowers or to uproot or unearth the plants).

For all State Symbols of Minnesota click HERE!
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The music and original stanzas of the state song Hail! Minnesota were written and revised by two students at the University of Minnesota in 1904 and 1905. The words and music were originally written for a play called The Apple of Discord, which was performed at the university, after which it became the school’s alma mater. The official University of Minnesota song was adopted as the state song in 1945. The song’s lyrics pay tribute to the natural beauty of Minnesota and celebrate the loyalty of its residents.