Minnesota is a state in the United States of America that is 32nd in joining the union. The upper Midwestern state achieved its statehood on May 11, 1858. As of its 2021 census, Minnesota has a population of 5.7 million. It also has the ranking of the 12th largest and 22nd most populous state.
Minnesota is known for its Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The state capital and the largest city comprise the region’s cultural capital. These cities are the major hubs for their excellent economy and education. Outside the Twin Cities, Minnesota has a flourishing countryside that balances its modernity.
A State of Many Nicknames
The origin of Minnesota’s name comes from the Dakota tribe. It comes from the phrase ‘Mni Sota Makoce,’ meaning ‘land where the waters reflect the clouds.’ The state also has plenty of nicknames. Minnesota is the North Star State because of its location in the country. It is also the Gopher State due to a satirical cartoon opposing a railroad loan in 1857. A somewhat inaccurate nickname is Land of 10,000 Lakes because the state has 11,842 lakes. An uncommon nickname is the Bread and Butter State due to its production of wheat and dairy products.
Metal Nation
Minnesota’s primary natural resource is iron ore. There is a mining area in the Mesabi mountains for this material. After World War I, the state contributed 70% of iron ore to the country. It houses the largest operating open-pit iron mine in the country. The Hull-Rust-Mahoning is in Hibbing. Manganese is another resource found in its vast mountains.
The Start of the Mississippi River
The iconic river, known to be the fourth largest in the world, has its starting point in the state. Lake Itasca in the northwestern part of the state is the supposed beginning of the river. The area where the lake is, Itasca State Park, is the oldest state park in the region as well.
Twine Impact
Minnesota has a unique record of having the world’s largest ball of twine. The creation, made by one person alone, has its own museum in Darwin. American musician Weird Al Yankovic made a song about this massive handiwork in 1989. The second Saturday of August is a day of commemoration for this giant twine ball.
A Place for Retail Therapy
Minnesota is a paradise for shoppers. One of their most notable malls is their Mall of America in Bloomington. It is the biggest in the country, with 9.5 million square feet. In addition, the shopping complex has an aquarium and an indoor amusement park. To top off the experience, the state does not have any sales tax on clothing and shoes.
Skyway is the Highway
Minneapolis has the world’s largest skyway with its Skyway System, connecting 89 blocks of downtown Minneapolis. It has a distance of almost 10 miles. It opened in 1962 and continues to serve its purpose of going through different parts of the city. With its interlinked enclosed climate-controlled pedestrian footbridges, it enables people to walk in comfort the whole year round.
The Constant Push for Development
In 2006, the city took a more hands-on approach to development, especially as the population approached the 100,000 mark. The downtown district experienced numerous improvements, allowing it to continue being the cultural center of the city. Due to the push for development, the University of Missouri experienced record numbers of enrollment in 2006. The advantage of highly educated locals is that they understand the importance of growing their city.
Art in the Park
Minnesota stands out for having the largest urban sculpture garden in the country, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. It opened in 1988, covering 11 acres of land. It is famous for its cheeky Spoonbridge and Cherry installation. The garden continues to showcase outstanding works from the Walker Art Center. Admission is free for everyone to enjoy these beautiful contemporary works.
Theater Tidbits
Minnesota has some of the most exciting theaters in the land. Opened in 1940, the Old Log Theatre is the oldest running professional theater in the country. Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, founded in 1968, is the largest dinner theater. Guthrie Theater started in 1963 and has the title of the largest regional theater.
Hockey Lovers
Minnesota is the best place for players and fans of this outdoor game. Minnesotans take pride in hockey as part of their culture and tradition. Most NHL players come from the state as there is early encouragement to participate in the sport. As of this year, there are 284 Minnesotans who have played for the NHL at least once. There is also the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth for the enthusiasts to visit.
Birthplace of Water Ski
Minnesota saw the birth of this outdoor activity in 1922. Ralph Samuelson, who hails from Lake City, is the mastermind of the water ski. He tested his invention on Lake Pepin, a part of the Mississippi River. His idea came from wondering if someone could ski on water, and the rest is history.
Openminded for Open-Heart Surgery
The first successful open-heart surgery happened in Minnesota. Dr. C. Walton Lillehei performed this novel action in 1952 at the University of Minnesota. He collaborated with Earl Bakken, the eventual founder of Medtronic, for the first portable pacemaker. Lillehei became known as the ‘King of Hearts’ for his contributions to the medical field.
Outstanding Education
Minnesota values schooling. It is part of the top ten states in the country for education. A 2020 survey reveals the state ranks seventh on its list of the best schools. The criteria cover the quality of education and safety of the schools. There is a guarantee of a great learning experience in the state.
Wolves’ Land
Minnesota has a moderate population of mammals, such as white-tailed deer and elk. But the states come next to Alaska for having a large population of grey wolves. Those interested in these majestic beasts can visit the International Wolf Center. It is a scientific and educational facility for wolf research. Visitors can watch the wolves and learn about their behaviors. Children can get to practice their wolf vocalizations as one of the many fun activities to do here.
The Mainland of Musicians
Minnesota is home to many iconic musicians. Global pop sensation Lizzo established her career in Minneapolis. Adam Young, who is behind Owl City, grew up in the state. Prince Roger Nelson, well-known as Prince, is a true-blue Minnesotan. He was born in Minneapolis and passed away in his home and recording studio in Chanhassen. Other notable acts are rock band The Replacements and punk group, Husker Du.
An Area of Actors
Minnesota is brimming with famous actors aside from musicians. Some examples are Jessica Biel, Rachel Leigh Cook, Josh Hartnett, and Winona Ryder. A fun fact is that Winona Ryder got her name from the nearby town she was born. The legendary Judy Garland hails from Grand Rapids and has a museum in her honor in the area. Funny guys Chris Pratt and Vince Vaughn are also Minnesotans.
A Country of Creatives
Rounding up the famous people from Minnesota are well-acclaimed authors. F. Scott Fitzgerald comes from St. Paul before moving to New York. Sinclair Lewis is the first American to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. He got the award in 1930 for his innovations in description and characterization. Hibbing native Bob Dylan got the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. The singer-songwriter received the award for his poetic expressions. Aside from his contributions to the music industry, he is also a published author. ‘Peanuts’ creator Charles Schulz comes from Minneapolis.
First Technological Innovations
Minnesota produced a lot of relevant inventions. The automatic pop-up toaster came out in 1926 as the Toastmaster. Office staple Post-It Note had its humble beginnings in 1980 by Arthur Fry and Spencer Silver of 3M. The same goes for the Scotch tape by the same company in 1930. Rollerblades were the invention of Scott and Brennan Olson in 1980. The Minnesotan students created them to practice hockey in the off-season.
First Food Novelties
Minnesota is also the incubator for some of the famous food we eat today. Hormel Company introduced us to Spam in 1937 in Austin, Minnesota. We also have to thank Frank C. Mars for bringing us a lot of the well-known sweets like Milky Way, Mars, Snickers, Three Musketeers, and M&Ms.
Elevated Experience of Living
Minnesota has a rich history of its achievements. The state continues to be on top of everything, making it a great place to live. It is the perfect blend of modernization and tradition. The Twin Cities provides a sublime experience to keep up with the times. The counties outside ground your way of life with their beauty and simplicity.