History of Minnesota in Timeline

Minnesota, a state in the Upper Midwestern United States, is bordered by Canada and the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota, with a water boundary with Michigan. Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," it boasts 14,420 freshwater bodies and is about one-third forested. It is the 12th-largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd-most populous. The Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minneapolis–Saint Paul is the state's primary political, economic, and cultural center. Other cities include Duluth, Mankato, Moorhead, Rochester, and St. Cloud.

1900: Minnesota mills grinding nation's grain

By 1900, Minnesota mills, including Pillsbury, Northwestern, and the Washburn-Crosby Company, were grinding 14.1% of the nation's grain.

1901: Washington Senators founded

In 1901, the Washington Senators, who would later become the Minnesota Twins, were a founding member of the American League.

1922: KUOM-AM launched

In 1922, KUOM-AM, the state's oldest radio station, was launched. It is among the 10-oldest radio stations in the United States.

September 1927: "The Minnesota March" Premiere Performance

In September 1927, John Philip Sousa and his band premiered "The Minnesota March" at the Minnesota State Fair.

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1931: Drought in western Minnesota

In 1931, western Minnesota and the Dakotas were hit by a drought, compounding the economic hardships of the Great Depression.

1934: Indian Reorganization Act

In 1934, the Indian Reorganization Act provided tribes in Minnesota with a mechanism for self-government, promoting respect for tribal customs and giving Natives a greater voice in the state.

1935: Drought in western Minnesota

The drought that began in 1931 continued in 1935 in western Minnesota and the Dakotas, exacerbating economic difficulties.

July 6, 1936: Highest temperature recorded in Moorhead

On July 6, 1936, the highest temperature recorded in Minnesota was 114 °F at Moorhead.

1944: DFL Party Formation

The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) was formed in 1944 through an alliance of the Minnesota Democratic and Farmer–Labor parties.

1946: Engineering Research Associates formed

In 1946, Engineering Research Associates was formed in Minnesota to develop computers for the United States Navy.

1947: Minneapolis Lakers play in Minneapolis Auditorium

From 1947, the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association played in the Minneapolis Auditorium.

April 27, 1948: KSTP-TV began broadcasting

On April 27, 1948, KSTP-TV began broadcasting, marking the start of broadcast television in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.

1948: Hubert Humphrey's Address

Hubert Humphrey brought national attention to Minnesota with his address at the 1948 Democratic National Convention.

1949: Medtronic started business

In 1949, medical device maker Medtronic started its business in the Twin Cities.

1951: Minneapolis hosted NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship

In 1951, Minneapolis hosted the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.

1957: Control Data Corporation (CDC) formed

In 1957, William Norris left Sperry to form Control Data Corporation (CDC) in Minnesota.

1957: Planning commission created for Twin Cities metropolitan area

In 1957, the legislature created a planning commission for the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

1960: Lakers relocate to Los Angeles

In 1960, the Minneapolis Lakers relocated to Los Angeles.

1960: Vote for Democratic Nominee

Minnesota has voted for the Democratic nominee in every presidential election since 1960, with the exception of 1972.

1961: Twins play in Twin Cities

In 1961, the Minnesota Twins began playing in the Major League Baseball in the Twin Cities after relocating from Washington.

1961: Vikings admitted to NFL

In 1961, the Minnesota Vikings were admitted to the National Football League as an expansion franchise, playing in Metropolitan Stadium.

1965: Twins advance to World Series

In 1965, the Minnesota Twins advanced to the World Series, but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.

1967: Minnesota North Stars competed in NHL

From 1967, the Minnesota North Stars competed in the National Hockey League.

1967: Metropolitan Council formed

In 1967, the planning commission for the Twin Cities metropolitan area became the Metropolitan Council.

1971: "Minnesota Miracle" leads to school finance reform

In 1971, under Governor Wendell Anderson, the "Minnesota Miracle" led to a broad reform in financing of Minnesota public schools and local governments.

1972: Vote for Republican Richard Nixon

In 1972, Minnesota voted for Republican Richard Nixon.

1974: A Prairie Home Companion First Aired

In 1974, A Prairie Home Companion, a comedy radio show, first aired on National Public Radio.

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1976: Minnesota Kicks played at Metropolitan Stadium

From 1976, the Minnesota Kicks played at Metropolitan Stadium.

1976: Democratic presidential nominee

In 1976, Minnesota began a streak of voting for every Democratic presidential nominee, which is longer than any other U.S. state.

1980: Population changes in Minnesota counties

Between 1980 and 2000, the populations of metropolitan Sherburne and Scott counties doubled, while 40 of Minnesota's 87 counties lost residents.

1980: Ice hockey team won gold medal

In 1980, twelve of the twenty members of the gold medal-winning ice hockey team were from Minnesota.

1981: Minnesota North Stars lost the Stanley Cup Finals

In 1981, the Minnesota North Stars lost the Stanley Cup Finals.

1981: Vikings end play in Metropolitan Stadium

In 1981, the Minnesota Vikings played their last season in Metropolitan Stadium.

1981: Minnesota Kicks played at Metropolitan Stadium

Until 1981, the Minnesota Kicks played at Metropolitan Stadium.

1982: Vikings play in Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

In 1982, the Minnesota Vikings began playing in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

1984: Minnesota Strikers played

From 1984, the Minnesota Strikers played professional soccer.

1987: Twins win World Series

In 1987, the Minnesota Twins won the World Series in seven games.

1988: Minnesota Strikers played

Until 1988, the Minnesota Strikers played professional soccer.

1989: Timberwolves join NBA

In 1989, the Minnesota Timberwolves joined the NBA.

1990: Timberwolves play in Target Center

Since 1990, the Minnesota Timberwolves have played in Target Center.

1990: Same Party Control

With Mark Dayton's election, the DFL party took the governor's office for the first time in 20 years. Two years later, the DFL regained control of both houses, and with Dayton in office, the party had same-party control of both the legislative and executive branches for the first time since 1990.

1991: Minnesota North Stars lost the Stanley Cup Finals

In 1991, the Minnesota North Stars lost the Stanley Cup Finals.

1991: Twins win World Series

In 1991, the Minnesota Twins won the World Series in seven games.

1992: Minneapolis hosted NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship

In 1992, Minneapolis hosted the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.

1992: Super Bowl XXVI played in the Metrodome

In 1992, Super Bowl XXVI was played in the Metrodome.

1993: KUOM-AM broadcasts college rock format

In 1993, KUOM-AM, owned by the University of Minnesota, started broadcasting a college rock format.

1993: Minnesota North Stars leave NHL

In 1993, the Minnesota North Stars ended their time competing in the National Hockey League.

February 2, 1996: Lowest temperature recorded in Tower

On February 2, 1996, the lowest temperature recorded in Minnesota was -60 °F at Tower.

1996: Tom Malchow won silver medal

In 1996, Swimmer Tom Malchow won an Olympic silver medal.

1998: Jesse Ventura Elected Governor

In 1998, Jesse Ventura, former mayor of Brooklyn Park and professional wrestler, was elected governor of Minnesota under the Reform Party (now the Independence Party).

2000: Population changes in Minnesota counties

Between 1980 and 2000, the populations of metropolitan Sherburne and Scott counties doubled, while 40 of Minnesota's 87 counties lost residents.

2000: Tom Malchow won gold medal

Swimmer Tom Malchow won an Olympic gold medal in the 2000 Summer games.

2001: Minneapolis hosted NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship

In 2001, Minneapolis hosted the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.

2005: Health Ranking

Minnesota was ranked as the healthiest state in the nation in 2005.

2005: Biodiesel Blend Requirement

Since 2005, Minnesota has required a 2% biodiesel blend in diesel fuel.

2006: Constitutional Amendment for Transportation Funding

In 2006, a constitutional amendment was passed in Minnesota that required sales and use taxes on motor vehicles to fund transportation, with at least 40% dedicated to public transit.

2006: Guthrie Theater Moved

In 2006, the Guthrie Theater, a world-renowned venue, moved to a new facility in Minneapolis, featuring three stages overlooking the Mississippi River.

2006: U.S. men's curling team won bronze medal

In the 2006 Winter Olympics, the U.S. men's curling team won a bronze medal.

2006: Democrats Elected

In the 2006 mid-term election, Democrats were elected to all state offices, except governor and lieutenant governor, and Amy Klobuchar was elected to the U.S. Senate. Keith Ellison was elected as the first African American U.S. Representative from Minnesota and the first Muslim elected to Congress nationwide.

October 1, 2007: Freedom to Breathe Act

On October 1, 2007, the Freedom to Breathe Act took effect in Minnesota, which outlawed smoking in restaurants and bars.

2007: Bald eagle population

As of 2007, Minnesota had the largest number of breeding pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states.

January 16, 2008: Wild reach 300 consecutive sold-out games

On January 16, 2008, the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League reached 300 consecutive sold-out games.

2008: State and Local Taxes

As of 2008, Minnesota ranked 12th in the nation for per capita total state and local taxes, with Minnesotans paying 10.2% of their income in these taxes, compared to the U.S. average of 9.7% in 2008.

2008: Al Franken Elected to U.S. Senate

In 2008, DFLer Al Franken defeated incumbent Republican Norm Coleman in the U.S. Senate race by 312 votes.

2008: Voter Turnout

In the 2008 U.S. presidential election, Minnesota had the highest voter turnout of any U.S. state, with 78.2% of eligible Minnesotans voting.

2009: Health Ranking Decline

Between 2005 and 2009, Minnesota's ranking as the healthiest state declined from first to sixth due to factors like low public health funding.

2009: High School Graduation Rate

In 2009, Minnesota had the second-highest proportion of high school graduates in the U.S., with 91.5% of people 25 and older holding a high school diploma, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

2010: Cities with populations above 50,000

As of the 2010 census, Minnesota has 17 cities with populations above 50,000.

2010: Minnesota United FC played in NASL

From 2010, Minnesota United FC played in the lower-division North American Soccer League.

2010: Twins play at Target Field

In 2010, the Minnesota Twins began playing at Target Field.

2010: Republicans Take Control

In the 2010 election, Republicans gained control of both chambers of the Minnesota legislature for the first time in 38 years.

2011: Minnesota Lynx won WNBA Championship

In 2011, the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association won the WNBA Championship.

2013: Demolition of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

After the 2013 season, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome was demolished for the construction of the Minnesota Vikings' new home.

2013: Minnesota Lynx won WNBA Championship

In 2013, the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association won the WNBA Championship.

2013: Eighth-Grade Student Performance

In a 2013 study by the National Center for Educational Statistics, Minnesota ranked eighth in the world and third in the United States in math and science performance among eighth-grade students.

2014: Religious affiliation in Minnesota

As of 2014, 74% of Minnesotans identified as Christian, 5% belonged to non-Christian faiths, and 20% identified as religiously unaffiliated, according to the Pew Research Center.

2014: ACT Exam Scores

In 2014, Minnesota students earned the tenth-highest average composite score in the nation on the ACT exam.

2014: State Fair Attendance Record

In 2014, the Minnesota State Fair set a new attendance record with over 1.8 million visitors.

2015: Minneapolis Named Most Literate City

In 2015, Minneapolis was named the nation's "Most Literate City", while St. Paul placed fourth, according to a major annual survey.

2015: Minnesota Lynx won WNBA Championship

In 2015, the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association won the WNBA Championship.

2015: Minnesota Swarm moved to Georgia

In 2015, the Minnesota Swarm of the National Lacrosse League moved to Georgia.

2016: Iron ore production

In 2016, Minnesota produced 60% of the country's usable iron ore.

2016: GOP Regains Control

In 2016, the GOP regained control of the State Senate in Minnesota.

2016: Hazeltine National Golf Club hosted Ryder Cup

In the fall of 2016, the Hazeltine National Golf Club hosted the Ryder Cup, becoming one of two courses in the U.S. to host all major golf competitions.

2016: Bob Dylan Wins Nobel Prize

Minnesota native Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016.

2016: Minnesota United FC played in NASL

Until 2016, Minnesota United FC played in the lower-division North American Soccer League.

2017: Minnesota United FC joined MLS

In 2017, Minnesota United FC joined Major League Soccer as an expansion team.

2017: Minnesota Lynx won WNBA Championship

In 2017, the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association won the WNBA Championship.

2017: Hispanic or Latino population

In the 2017 American Community Survey, 5.1% of Minnesota's population were of Hispanic or Latino origin.

February 2018: U.S. Bank Stadium hosted Super Bowl LII

In February 2018, the Vikings' current stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium, hosted Super Bowl LII.

2018: Refugee population

As of 2018, Minnesota had the largest refugee population per capita of any state, with 2% of the country's population but 13% of its refugees.

2018: Duluth team won gold medal

At the 2018 Winter Olympics, the gold medal-winning curling team was from Duluth.

2018: DFL Regains Control

In 2018, the DFL retook control of the Minnesota House and elected DFLer Tim Walz as Governor.

January 7, 2019: Tim Walz Took Office

On January 7, 2019, Tim Walz, a DFLer, became the Governor of Minnesota.

2019: Minneapolis hosted NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship

In 2019, Minneapolis hosted the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.

2019: MPR has largest audience

In 2019, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) had the largest audience of any regional public radio network in the nation, broadcasting on 46 radio stations.

2019: Ethanol Fuel Availability

In 2019, Minnesota had over 411 service stations providing E85 fuel, which contains 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.

2019: Minnesota's gross domestic product

In 2019, Minnesota's economy had a gross domestic product of $383 billion.

2019: Per capita and median income in Minnesota

In 2019, Minnesota's per capita personal income was $58,834, and its median household income was $74,593.

2020: Minnesota's population

According to the United States Census Bureau and the Minnesota State Demographic Center, Minnesota had a population of about 5.7 million in 2020, making it the 22nd-most populous U.S. state.

2020: Racial demographics

As of 2020, Minnesota's white population had fallen to 77.5% from over 98% in the early to mid-20th century, while other racial populations increased.