Minnesota - School-Age
Minnesota
32nd State (May 11, 1858), the midwest U.S.
State Abbreviation: MN
Capital: St. Paul
Origin of name: Based on the Dakota Sioux word Minisota. It is based on the Dakota Sioux Indian word "sky-tinted waters." Centuries ago, that is what the Dakota named the river now called the Minnesota River.
Motto: The Star of the North
Nickname: North Star State and Land of 10,000 Lakes
Minnesota State Symbols
Minnesota: State Seal
Beverage: Milk
Bird: Common Loon
Butterfly: Monarch Butterfly
Fish: Walleye
Flower: Pink and White Lady Slipper
Fruit: Honeycrisp Apple
Grain: Wild Rice
Muffin: Blueberry
Mushroom: Morel
Photograph: Grace by Eric Enstrom
Song: Hail! Minnesota
Tree: Red (or Norway) pine
Video
Things to Know
United States Senators from Minnesota.
Minnesota supported two major Indian tribes; the Dakota (Sioux) and the Ojibwa (Chippewa). The earliest Europeans in the area were the 17th century French explorers searching for a Northwest Passage
In 1763, the British claimed the area east of the Mississippi River and this area went to the U.S. after the American Revolution. In 1803, the French portion joined America with the Louisiana Purchase. Sioux Indians revolted with bloody fighting in 1862 and were driven out of Minnesota.
Today, Minnesota is a favorite destination for those seeking fishing and solitude on the state's many bodies of water.
Minnesota's main agricultural products are corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, dairy, turkeys, hogs and beef cattle.
Minnesota has the largest wolf population in the lower 48 states.
Major Rivers: Minnesota River, Mississippi River, Rainy River (The Rainy River forms part of the Canada and United States border separating Northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota.),
Red River of the North, St. Croix River
Famous Minnesotans
Charles H. Mayo (1865 - 1939), and William J. Mayo(1861 - 1939), physicians who founded the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
John S. Pillsbury (1828 - 1901), a leader in flour milling, he helped found the family company in Minneapolis in 1872; three-time Republican governor of Minnesota (1876 - 1882).
Wanda (1893-1946) and Anton Gag, Illustrators/Painters, Wanda Gag wrote Millions of Cats.
Eric Enstrom (1875 - 1968), Photographer, famous photo Grace
Charles Schulz, Cartoonist, created Peanuts series.
Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr., Pilot, first to complete a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
Things to Do
Sites to See
Minnesota's natural resources -DNR
Learn all about the animals in Minnesota.
