Origin of state's name: Based on the Dakota Sioux Indian word for
"sky-tinted water," referring to the Minnesota River or the state's many lakes
Minnesota's state flag is royal blue bordered with gold fringe.
Around the state seal in the center is a wreath of lady slippers.
Nineteen stars ring the wreath. The largest star represents
Minnesota, the 19th state to join the union.
Entered Union: May 11, 1858; 32nd State
Capital: St. Paul
Motto: L'Etoile du Nord (The star of the north)
Flower: Pink and white lady's-slipper
Bird: Common loon
Tree: Red pine
Song: Hail! Minnesota
A LITTLE HISTORY
Fur traders and missionaries from French Canada opened the region in the 17th century. Britain took the area east of the Mississippi in 1763. The U.S. took over that portion after the American Revolution and in 1803 bought the western area as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The U.S. built present Ft. Snelling in 1820 and bought lands from the Indians in 1837. Sioux Indians staged a bloody uprising in 1862 and were driven from the state
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FACTS AND TRIVIA ABOUT MINNESOTA
The Mayo Clinic is located in Rochester, Minnesota.
Minnesota is the home of the headwaters of the Mississippi River.
New Ulm, Minnesota has the largest, free standing Glockenspiel in the United States.
