MN90: Minnesota History in 90 Seconds

A popular restaurant in St. Paul has a hauntingly delicious history of romance, scandal, and death. [Image by: Autumn Haeg]

Minnesota artist Duane Hanson captivated the country with his hyper-realistic sculptures depicting everyday people and events. Produced by Autumn Haeg Editorial support: Emily Krumberger, Britt Aamodt Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood Photo: Portrait of Duane Hanson, Minneapolis, 1986 (American Swedish Institute, collection.mndigital.org/catalog/swede:169) ----- For the latest episode drops an...

Swans used to be a popular game of choice for Minnesota hunters. But by the 1900’s, the entire population of trumpeter swans was gone. Produced by Autumn Haeg Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood Image: Loring Park swans in Minneapolis Park Board's winter house in Theodore Wirth Park, 1948 (Philip Dittes). Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society ----- For the...

Grain giant Frank Peavey was a wealthy man who needed a way to boast his money. Following trends from other local philanthropists, he donated his money for a new horse fountain. Produced by Autumn Haeg Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood Image: painting of the Rose Garden at Lake Harriet, Minneapolis by Eric Austen Erickson (1992). Courtesy of the Minnesota Hi...

Richard Wozniak loved the Frank Sinatra recording of the Johnny Richards-Carolyn Leigh song "Young-at-Heart." So, in 1956, when he opened his Duluth business, there was only one name for it: Young at Heart Record Store. Image: Young at Heart record club business card. [credit: Collection of Minnesota Historical Society]

With the railroad expanding westward, Minnesota needed farmers and laborers to work in the new settlements along the railroad line. Minnesota State Board of Immigration member William Seeger advocated for a group of Russian Mennonites to come and live in the new settlement of Mountain Lake. Image: Evangelical Mennonite Church, half-mile north of Mountain Lake, Minnesota, 1959. [credit:  MN Histori...

Many Minnesotans are familiar with our state bird, the loon, and state flower, the lady slipper. But did you know that milk is Minnesota's state drink? Here's how. [Image by: sommai | Adobe Stock ]

In 1923, the University of Minnesota launched the Red Wing Project, an experiment to bring electricity to rural farmers in the state. This experiment, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, inspired 23 other states to conduct their own electrification studies and led to the establishment of the national Rural Electrification Administration. Image: Farmer W.A. Benitt with electric pump,...

While no longer standing, the Westgate Theater was a beloved arts space in South Minneapolis for over 40 years. The founder of the Westgate, musician Carl Fust, had a vision of bringing people together during the Depression Era.  Image: Exterior of the Westgate Theater [credit: The Fust Family Collection]

Actor and South Saint Paul native Mike Farrell was replacing a popular character in one of the 1970's most popular TV shows. He was thrilled for the job, but would M*A*S*H's devoted fan base hate him? Image: American GIs at a concert in Korea 1952. [credit: Collection Minnesota Historical Society]

Along the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, a community of immigrant families built a life from scratch in a neighborhood known as Bohemian Flats. Image: Bohemian Flats during a springtime flood, April 7, 1897. The Washington Avenue bridge is in the background. [credit: Hennepin County Library]

In 1945, a massive munitions plant opened south of Minneapolis to produce smokeless gun powder to supply the US forces fighting in World War II. Image: World War II artillery crew of a heavy 155mm gun [credit: Wikpedia. This file is a work of a U.S. Army soldier or employee, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain...

The former Miss Roseville Minnesota turned what could have been a throwaway part into the breakout role of Jennifer Marlowe, the sexy and savvy receptionist at a struggling radio station in the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. Image: Loni Anderson in 1985 [credit: Wikipedia [public domain]]

The University and Snelling intersection has seen many changes over time. Once home to Dakota people and wildlife, European settlers took over in the mid-1800s. Streetcars came first, then cars and buses became popular in the 1950s. Interstate 94 brought more businesses to the area. In recent years, a light rail was added along with a soccer stadium, apartments, a playground, and a loon sculpture....

The Strutwear Knitting Factory strike was the longest and least violent of the three major labor strikes that happened in Minneapolis from 1934 to 1936. Minneapolis Mayor Thomas Latimer and Minnesota Governor Floyd B. Olson were caught in between pressure from Strutwear and protecting their constituents. In the end, the strike led to a full union victory for the Strutwear workers.  Image: Picketin...

In 1938, William Pelley, leader of Nazi copycat group the Silver Legion of America, or Silver Shirts, made plans to speak in Minneapolis and, allegedly, to have his followers attack a local labor union headquarters. Image: Anti-Nazi meeting in St. Paul in 1938 [credit: Collection of Minnesota Historical Society]

Founded in Minneapolis in 1897, the Daughters of Norway grew into the largest secular organization of Norwegian American women in the country. Image: Members of Thief River Falls Varblomsten, dressed to waitress at a Norwegian event, a. 1890s-1910s. [credit: Haugen Family Collection - MNopedia]

In 1979, Martha Rossini Olson built a homespun recipe for chocolate chip cookies into a Minnesota State Fair juggernaut.

In 1896, Dr. Orianna McDaniel became the first female physician hired by the state of Minnesota to work in its new bacteriology lab.  Image: Dr. Orianna McDaniel. State Health Board Service from 1896-1946 [credit: Collection of Minnesota Historical Society]

Founded in 1924, the Phyllis Wheatley House was the first settlement house in Minneapolis to serve the social service needs of African Americans. Image:  Exterior view of the Phyllis Wheatley House, 1931. [Image courtesy of: Minnesota Historical Society]

From the 1880s to the 1930s, the Finnish-language newspaper Uusi Kotimaa connected immigrant communities across Minnesota and the United States. Based largely in New York Mills, it served as a cultural lifeline for thousands of Finnish Americans. Image: Front page of Uusi Kotimaa, July 7, 1922. [credit: Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub]

During World War II, the Japanese military floated thousands of balloon bombs to the United States, its wartime enemy. The casualties were surprisingly few, but two Minnesota children would number among the victims of the campaign. Producer: Britt Aamodt Image description:  A World War II-era Japanese balloon bomb   Image by: Wikipedia [public domain: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japane...

Indigenous seed-saving traditions in Minnesota are being revived today through community and library programs that preserve ancestral crops and the knowledge behind them. ----- Editor: Britt Aamodt  Producer: Faaya Adem Editorial support: Emily Krumberger  Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood Photo Credit: Faaya Adem ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  inst...

For two days in June 1984, Bruce Springsteen recorded a music video for a new single he was putting out at the St. Paul Civic Center. The video was pretty basic, but it would help make "Dancing in the Dark" the biggest hit of his career. ----- Editor: Britt Aamodt  Producer:  Britt Aamodt  Editorial support: Emily Krumberger  Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood  Photo Credit: MN Historical Socie...

Dar Al-Hijrah is the oldest Somali masjid in Minnesota. Founded in 1988 in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis, the masjid is a center for the Somali community. ----- Editor: Britt Aamodt  Producer: Faaya Adem Editorial support: Emily Krumberger  Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood