The history of Minnesota is the story of a U.S. state shaped by its original
Native American residents, European exploration and settlement, and the
emergence of industries made possible by the state's natural resources.
Minnesota achieved prominence through fur trading, logging, and farming, and
later, railroads, flour milling and iron mining. While those industries
remain important, the state's economy is now driven by banking, computers and
health care. Fort Snelling played a pivotal role in Minnesota's history and
in the development of the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The earliest
known settlers followed herds of large game to the region during the last Ice
Age. They preceded the Anishinaabe, the Sioux, and other Native American
inhabitants. Fur traders from France arrived during the 1600s. Europeans,
moving west during the 1800s, drove out most of the Native Americans. Fort
Snelling, built to protect United States territorial interests, brought early
settlers to the area. Early settlers used Saint Anthony Falls for powering
sawmills in the area that became Minneapolis, while others settled downriver
in the area that became Saint Paul. Minnesota became a part of the United
States as the Minnesota Territory in 1849, and became the 32nd U.S. state on
May 11, 1858. (more...)
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In the news
An international relief operation begins after Cyclone Nargis strikes Burma,
with at least 63,500 people reported killed or missing. The Burmese military
regime conducts a significant referendum days from the cyclone's strike
despite international appeals.
Skirmishes erupt in Beirut between supporters of Lebanon's government and the
opposition.
Dmitry Medvedev (pictured) is sworn in as the third President of Russia,
replacing Vladimir Putin, who becomes the Prime Minister.
Brian Cowen succeeds Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach (prime minister) of the
Republic of Ireland.
Yahya Ould Ahmed El Waghef takes office as Prime Minister of Mauritania.
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On this day...
May 11: Pentecost in Western Christianity (2008); Mother's Day in several
countries (2008)
1745 – War of the Austrian Succession: French forces defeated the
Anglo-Dutch-Hanoverian "Pragmatic Army" at the Battle of Fontenoy in the
Austrian Netherlands in present day Belgium.
1792 – Merchant sea-captain Robert Gray (pictured) first entered the
Columbia River, the largest river flowing into the Pacific Ocean from North
America.
1812 – British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was assassinated by John
Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons.
1867 – The major powers in Europe signed the Second Treaty of London to
solve the Luxembourg Crisis between France and Prussia over the political
status of Luxembourg.
1918 – The Mountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus was established,
with Tapa Tchermoeff as the first prime minister.
1949 – Siam was officially renamed Thailand, a name unofficially in use
since it was first coined by Prime Minister and dictator Plaek Pibulsonggram
in 1939.
More events: May 10 – May 11 – May 12
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Today's featured picture
The head and mandibles of an Australian bull ant. Insect mandibles grasp,
crush, or cut the insect’s food, or defend against predators or rivals.
These mandibles move in the horizontal plane unlike those of the vertebrates.
Photo credit: Fir0002
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