We were just a territory before that fateful day on May 11th, 1858, when Minnesota was finally admitted to the union.

Happy 162nd birthday, Minnesota! That's right, the Land of 10,000 Lakes officially became a state and was admitted to the union on this day, May 11th, WAAAY back in 1858.

Being a lover of history, I'm fascinated by the events that happened well before I was here, but still relatively recently-- at least by historical standards. According to the Minnesota history site, MNopedia, the North Star state may have officially become the 32nd on May 11th, 1858. But, the push for statehood for Minnesota had happened well before that.

In fact, Minnesota leaders ratified our state constitution the year before, back in the fall of in 1857, after it was written over the summer of that year. But Minnesota had wanted to join the union even before that. MNopedia explains it like this:

The enabling act for statehood had been passed on February 26, 1857, and the state's constitution was written that summer and ratified in October. Full statehood had been held up by southern senators who wanted Kansas to enter the Union as a slave state. Finally approved by Congress, the bill was signed by President James Buchanan on May 11, 1858.

It also went on to say that word of Minnesota's officially becoming a state didn't reach local leaders in St. Paul until two days later, on May 13th. (Apparently the internet connection in both Washington, D.C. and St. Paul was MUCH slower back then... 😉)

So here's to you, Minnesota. We may be going through a historically difficult time with the coronavirus right now, but the Land of 10,000 Lakes is still looking pretty good, if you ask me!

Listen to Curt St. John mornings at 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5
and afternoons 2 to 4 p.m. on 103.9 The Doc!

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