Happy Anniversary, Minnesota!

[DeeEss57]

On May 11, 1858, Minnesota became the 32nd state in the union after Congress finally approved its application for statehood.

Go here http://www.mn150years.org/home.html to learn more about the celebration.


Dawn

[jackal]

Im kinda surprised it wasn't an earlier state
than 32 to be honest.

[DeeEss57]

Im kinda surprised it wasn't an earlier state
than 32 to be honest.

I think it was because of issues with boundaries and the shape of the state. Should it be an east-west state? Or a north-south state? There was much debate about the shape of the state-to-be.

The east-west proponents wanted the northern border to be at the 46th parallel, the 45th and 30 minutes, or the 45th and 15 minutes. The western border of the east-west state would have been the Missouri River.
The northern half of the Minnesota Territory (including the Iron Range and the port of Duluth) would become another state, and the east-west state of Minnesota would have become a farming state.

The north-south proponents wanted the western border to be the Red River and the southern border to be the Iowa border. Due to decisive action by Henry Rice, these are the borders that the US Congress approved.

It's interesting to note that Minnesota was the first state in eight years to be admitted to the union, following Iowa by twelve years, Wisconsin by ten, and California by eight years. The Dakotas wouldn't be admitted to the union until 31 (!) years after Minnesota.

Did you know that Minnesota actually had two constitutions? One was written on white paper and was signed only by the Republican delegates and one on blue paper signed only by the Democratic delegates to the constitutional convention.

Ah, the drama of politics!


Dawn

[PurpleMustReign]

I thought Minnesota had been looking a little grayer lately...

It is cool. I'll be 79 when MN turns 200, hopefully I'll be arounbd to see that too.

[Minniman]

It's interesting to note that Minnesota was the first state in eight years to be admitted to the union, following Iowa by twelve years, Wisconsin by ten, and California by eight years. The Dakotas wouldn't be admitted to the union until 31 (!) years after Minnesota.

Why the Dakota Territory was allowed to become two states is beyond me.

At least Minnesota can still claim that it is the northern-most state of the contiguous 48 states.

[DeeEss57]

Why the Dakota Territory was allowed to become two states is beyond me.

It actually became three states because Montana was part of the Dakota Territory. Montana was admitted to the union six days after the Dakotas.

And the reason the Dakotas are east-west states is because of the railroads. The railroads went east-west, so settlement went the same direction, causing the northern and southern parts of the territory to have little contact with each other.

I love history!



Dawn

[jackal]

I know the California ballot has had an issue
of making California into three or two states. There
is no way it will go anywhere though. LA won't wan't get
lose the water rights IMO.