History of Minnesota in Timeline

Minnesota is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, bordering Canada and several other states. Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," it features abundant freshwater resources and forests. The state's population is approximately 5.8 million, making it the 22nd most populous state in the United States. Over 60% of Minnesotans reside in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, also known as the "Twin Cities," which serves as the state's political, economic, and cultural center. Other significant metropolitan areas include Duluth, Mankato, Moorhead, Rochester, and St. Cloud.

1900: Minnesota Milling Dominance

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

1901: Washington Senators founding member of American League

In 1901, the Washington Senators were a founding member of the American League before relocating and becoming the Minnesota Twins.

1922: Launch of KUOM-AM

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

September 1927: The Minnesota March Premiere

In September 1927, John Philip Sousa and his band premiered "The Minnesota March" at the Minnesota State Fair before a crowd of 12,000 people.

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1931: Start of the drought

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

1934: Indian Reorganization Act

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

1935: End of the drought

In 1935, the drought that had affected western Minnesota and the Dakotas since 1931 came to an end. New Deal programs provided some economic turnaround during this time.

July 6, 1936: Record high temperature

On July 6, 1936, the highest temperature ever recorded in Minnesota was 114 °F (46 °C) at Moorhead.

1944: DFL Party Formation

In 1944, the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) was formed out of an alliance of the Minnesota Democratic and Farmer-Labor parties.

1946: Formation of Engineering Research Associates

In 1946, Engineering Research Associates was formed to develop computers for the United States Navy, marking Minnesota's entry into the technology sector.

1947: Minneapolis Lakers played in the Minneapolis Auditorium

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

April 27, 1948: Broadcast Television Starts in Minnesota

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

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

1949: Medtronic Started Business

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

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

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

1957: William Norris forms Control Data Corporation

In 1957, William Norris left Sperry to form Control Data Corporation (CDC), contributing to Minnesota's growing technology industry.

1957: Creation of Twin Cities planning commission

In 1957, the legislature created a planning commission for the Twin Cities metropolitan area, setting the stage for regional planning and development.

1960: Minneapolis Lakers relocated to Los Angeles

In 1960, the Minneapolis Lakers relocated to Los Angeles.

1960: Presidential Election since 1960

Minnesota has voted for the Democratic nominee in all but one presidential election since 1960.

1961: Minnesota Twins established

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

1961: Vikings admission to NFL

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

1965: Twins advanced to the 1965 World Series

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

1967: Minnesota North Stars competed in the NHL

In 1967, the Minnesota North Stars began competing in the National Hockey League.

1967: Planning commission becomes Metropolitan Council

In 1967, the planning commission for the Twin Cities metropolitan area was transformed into the Metropolitan Council.

1971: "Minnesota Miracle" legislation

In 1971, under Governor Wendell Anderson, a series of legislation called the "Minnesota Miracle" led to a reform in financing of Minnesota public schools and local governments that created a fairer distribution in taxation and education.

1972: Richard Nixon Wins Minnesota

In 1972, Republican Richard Nixon won Minnesota.

1974: A Prairie Home Companion First Aired

In 1974, "A Prairie Home Companion" first aired, becoming a long-running comedy radio show on National Public Radio.

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1976: Minnesota Kicks played at Metropolitan Stadium

In 1976, the Minnesota Kicks played at Metropolitan Stadium.

1976: Democratic presidential nominee voting base

Since 1976, Minnesota has voted for every Democratic presidential nominee, making it a reliable base for the Democratic Party. This is a longer streak than any other U.S. state.

1976: Democratic Electoral College Streak

Since 1976, Minnesotans have consistently cast their Electoral College votes for Democratic presidential candidates, longer than any other state.

1980: Population changes in metropolitan counties

Between 1980 and 2000, the populations of metropolitan Sherburne and Scott counties doubled.

1980: 1980 Winter Olympics gold medal ice hockey team

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

1981: Minnesota North Stars lost the 1981 Stanley Cup Finals

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

1981: Vikings last season at Metropolitan Stadium

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

1981: Minnesota Kicks played at Metropolitan Stadium

Until 1981, the Minnesota Kicks played at Metropolitan Stadium.

1982: Vikings move to Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

In 1982, the Minnesota Vikings moved to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

1984: Minnesota Strikers established

In 1984, the Minnesota Strikers were established.

1987: Twins won the 1987 World Series

The Minnesota Twins won the 1987 World Series in a seven-game match where the home team was victorious in all games.

1988: Minnesota Strikers end of season

Until 1988, the Minnesota Strikers played.

1989: Minnesota Timberwolves joined the NBA

In 1989, the Minnesota Timberwolves joined the National Basketball Association.

1990: Minnesota Timberwolves played in Target Center

In 1990, the Minnesota Timberwolves began playing in the Target Center.

1990: Same-Party Control of Legislative and Executive Branches

Two years after 2010, the DFL regained control of both houses, achieving same-party control of both the legislative and executive branches for the first time since 1990 with Dayton in office.

1991: Minnesota North Stars lost the 1991 Stanley Cup Finals

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

1991: Twins won the 1991 World Series

The Minnesota Twins won the 1991 World Series in a seven-game match where the home team was victorious in all games.

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

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

1992: Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome

In 1992, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome hosted Super Bowl XXVI.

1993: Minnesota North Stars Last Season

In 1993, the Minnesota North Stars played their last season in Minnesota.

1993: KUOM-AM Broadcasts College Rock Format

Since 1993, the University of Minnesota-owned station KUOM-AM has been broadcasting a college rock format.

February 2, 1996: Record low temperature

On February 2, 1996, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Minnesota was −60 °F (−51 °C) at Tower.

1996: Tom Malchow won a silver medal

In 1996, Swimmer Tom Malchow won a silver medal in the Olympic games.

1998: Jesse Ventura Elected Governor

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

2000: Population changes in non-metropolitan counties

Between 1980 and 2000, 40 of Minnesota's 87 counties lost residents.

2000: Tom Malchow won an Olympic gold medal

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

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

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

2005: Minnesota's Health Ranking

Between 2005 and 2009, Minnesota's health ranking descended from first to sixth in the nation.

2005: Biodiesel blend requirement

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

2006: Theater ticket sales in the Twin Cities

As of 2006, about 2.3 million theater tickets were sold annually in the Twin Cities, ranking Minneapolis behind only New York City in the number of theater companies in the United States.

2006: Transportation Amendment Passed

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

2006: Guthrie Theater Move

In 2006, the Guthrie Theater, a world-renowned theater, relocated to a new facility in Minneapolis with three stages overlooking the Mississippi River.

2006: 2006 Winter Olympics U.S. men's curling team

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

2006: Mid-Term Election Results

In the 2006 mid-term election, Democrats were elected to all state offices in Minnesota, except for governor and lieutenant governor.

October 2007: Freedom to Breathe Act Takes Effect

In October 2007, the Freedom to Breathe Act took effect, outlawing smoking in restaurants and bars in Minnesota.

2007: Largest number of breeding pairs of bald eagles

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

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

On January 16, 2008, the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild reached 300 consecutive sold-out games at St. Paul's Grand Casino Arena.

2008: DFL Gains and Election of Keith Ellison and Al Franken

In 2008, the DFL posted double-digit gains in both houses of the legislature, elected Amy Klobuchar to the U.S. Senate, and increased their U.S. House caucus. Keith Ellison became the first African American U.S. representative elected from Minnesota and the first Muslim elected to Congress nationwide, and Al Franken defeated incumbent Norm Coleman in the U.S. Senate race.

2008: Minnesota 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: Minnesota's Health Ranking

Between 2005 and 2009, Minnesota's health ranking descended from first to sixth in the nation due to low levels of public health funding and the prevalence of binge drinking.

2009: Minnesota's 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.

2010: Minnesota United FC played in the North American Soccer League

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

2010: Twins began playing at Target Field

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

2010: Republican Control of Minnesota Legislature

In the 2010 election, Republicans took control of both chambers of the Minnesota legislature for the first time in 38 years, and the DFL party took the governor's office for the first time in 20 years with Mark Dayton's election.

2011: Minnesota Lynx WNBA Champions

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

2013: Minnesota's per-student public education spending

In 2013, Minnesota ranked 21st nationwide in per-student public education spending.

2013: Demolition of the Metrodome

In 2013, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome was demolished after the football season to make way for the construction of the U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings' new home.

2013: Minnesota Lynx WNBA Champions

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

2013: Minnesota's International Ranking in Math and Science

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

2014: Minnesota Students' ACT Scores

In 2014, Minnesota students had the nation's tenth-highest average composite score on the ACT exam.

2014: Minnesota 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.

2015: Minnesota Lynx WNBA Champions

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

2015: Minnesota Swarm moved to Georgia

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

2016: Bob Dylan Wins Nobel Prize

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

2016: Iron ore production

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

2016: GOP Regains Control of the State Senate

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: Minnesota United FC played in the North American Soccer League

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

2017: Minnesota United FC joined Major League Soccer

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

2017: Minnesota Lynx WNBA Champions

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

2017: Minnesota's Hispanic or Latino population in 2017

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

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

In February 2018, the U.S. Bank Stadium hosted Super Bowl LII.

2018: Minnesota 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: 2018 Winter Olympics Duluth team gold medal

At the 2018 Winter Olympics, the team from Duluth won a gold medal.

2018: Wind energy production

In 2018, Minnesota generated nearly one-fifth of its electrical energy from wind.

2018: DFL Retakes Control of Minnesota House and Elects Tim Walz

In 2018, the DFL retook control of the Minnesota House, while also electing DFLer Tim Walz as Governor.

January 7, 2019: Tim Walz Took Office

On January 7, 2019, Tim Walz, a DFLer, took office as the Governor of Minnesota.

2019: MPR Audience Size

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

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

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

2019: Minnesota's Gross Domestic Product

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

2019: E85 fuel availability

In 2019, there were more than 411 service stations in Minnesota supplying E85 fuel, which is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.

2019: Per capita personal income

Minnesota's per capita personal income in 2019 was $58,834, the 13th-highest in the nation.

2020: Minnesota's population in 2020

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

2020: Minnesota's racial demographics

As of 2020, according to U.S. census data, the white population in Minnesota had fallen to 77.5% from over 98% in the early to mid-20th century.

2020: Cities with populations above 50,000

As of the 2020 census, Minnesota has 17 cities with populations above 50,000.

2020: Minnesota voter turnout

In 2020, Minnesota's voter turnout was 79.96% of registered voters in the general election, surpassing the 2008 figures.

2020: Minnesota Ranked as 15th Easiest State to Vote In

In a 2020 study, Minnesota was ranked as the 15th easiest state for citizens to vote in.

2020: Mayo Clinic Ranked Top Hospital

In the U.S. News & World Report's 2020-21 survey, the Mayo Clinic was ranked among the top four hospitals in the country and was placed first on the best hospitals honor roll.

2021: Minnesota's fertility rate in 2021

Minnesota's fertility rate in 2021 was slightly below the replacement rate at 1.75.

2022: Minnesota state election result

After the 2022 state elections, both the House and Senate had a slim DFL majority.

2022: Minnesotans' tax contributions

In 2022, Minnesotans paid 12.1% of their income in state and local taxes, which was higher than the U.S. average of 11.2%.

2022: DFL control of Minnesota government

In 2022, the DFL (Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party) won control of all three branches of Minnesota's government, setting the stage for significant policy changes.

2023: Legislative reforms

In 2023, with control of all three branches of Minnesota's government, the DFL passed significant reforms during the legislative session, moving the state in a progressive direction.