Arkansas - State Symbols, Facts, Photos, Visitor Info

"The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.

Vice President

John Adams

"Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand."

President

Thomas Jefferson

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."

President

Entered the Union: May 11, 1858 (32)	Capital: St. Paul
Origin of Name: From a Dakota Indian word meaning “sky-tinted water”
State Nicknames: North Star State • Land of 10,000 Lakes
State Motto: L'Étoile du Nord (The North Star)
State Tree: Red (Norway) Pine	State Bird: Common Loon
State Gemstone: Lake Superior Agate	State Flower: Lady's Slipper
State Song: “Hail Minnesota"	State Fruit: Honeycrisp Apple
National Forests: 2 • State Forests: 58 • State Parks: 66
Famous for: Lakes • The Mall of America, boating
Famous Minnesotans: Andrews Sisters • Bob Dylan (singers), F. Scott Fitzgerald • Sinclair Lewis (novelists), Judy Garland (actress), Hubert Humphrey • Walter Mondale (vice presidents), Roger Maris (baseball), Charles Schulz (cartoonist)
Native Animals and Birds: Click on photos of the animals and birds on this page to find out more about them and to hear the sounds they make.

State Fair: St. Paul











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Minnesota National Forests

Minnesota State Parks

Minnesota Historic Sites

Minnesota Attractions

Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)

Minnesota Twins (MLB)

Minnesota Vikings (NFL)

Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Skiing in Minnesota

Fishing in Minnesota

Hunting in Minnesota

Ricing in Minnesota
(collecting Wild Rice)

Listen to Loon's Song

Minnesota Photo Gallery

Minnesota Butterfly Gallery

Minnesota Homeschooling

Minnesota Resorts

Minnesota RV Parks

Minnesota Hotels & Reviews

Minnesota Restaurants & Reviews

Minnesota was discovered by French explorers and trappers. It was claimed for France in 1679. Eastern Minnesota was aquired from Britain after the Revolutionary War. The western portion was purchased from Napolean (France) in 1803 as part of the "Louisiana Purchase."

In 1898, the Kensington Rune stone was found on the farm of Olaf Ohman, near Alexandria. The Kensington Rune stone carvings allegedly tell of a journey of a band of Vikings in 1362.

The skyway system in Minneapolis allows people to live, eat, work and shop in nearly five miles without ever going outside.

The Mall of America in Bloomington is over 9.5 million square feet in size.

Because of its thousands of lakes, Minnesota has 90,000 miles of shoreline.

Minnesota's waters flow outward in three directions: north to Hudson Bay in Canada, east to the Atlantic Ocean, and south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Minnesota is home to: Green Giant vegetables, Greyhound Lines (the first bus line), and Tonka Trucks.

Minnesota inventions: the snowmobile, the first water skis, the first automatic pop-up toaster, the first canned ham and spam, masking and scotch tape, the stapler, Wheaties, Bisquick, the bundt pan, HMOs.

The showy lady's slipper is Minnesota's state flower. It is one of 43 orchid species that grow in Minnesota.

Minneapolis has more golfers per capita than any other city in the country.

The first open heart surgery and the first bone marrow transplant in the United States were done at the University of Minnesota.

Rochester is home of the world famous Mayo Clinic. The clinic is a major teaching and working facility. It is known world wide for its doctor's expertise and the newest methods of treatments.

The nation’s first Better Business Bureau was founded in Minneapolis in 1912.

Minnesota has one recreational boat per every six people, more than any other state.

Minnesota students Scott and Brennan Olson invented rollerblades in 1980, when they were looking for a way to practice Hockey during the off-season. Their design was an ice hockey boot with 3 inline wheels instead of a blade.

The first Intercollegiate Basketball game was played in Minnesota on February 9,1895.

Minnesota's Ethnic Roots: German 37.3%, Norwegian 17%, Irish 12.2%, Swedish 10%, French 5.5%

Religion in Minnesota: 77% Christian (52% Protestant, 25% Catholic), 14% No Religion, 3% Other Religions

Tonka Trucks were developed and are still manufactured in Minnetonka.

Candy maker Frank C. Mars of Minnesota introduced the Milky Way candy bar in 1923, the Snickers bar in 1930 and the Three Musketeers bar in 1937.

Sanctity of Life Day

January 22
"All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world." Pres. George W. Bush
Read more in our forum.

Religious Freedom Day

January 16
Each year, the President declares January 16th to be Religious Freedom Day. This day is the anniversary of the passage of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom in 1786.
Read more in our forum.

Martin Luther King

January 16
A U.S. holiday honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an influential American civil rights leader who peacefully worked for equal rights for all Americans.
Read more in our forum.

Epiphany

January 6
The Feast of the Epiphany marks the end of the 12 Days of Christmas and celebrates the revelation of the birth of Jesus Christ as Savior of the whole world. Magi (wise men) from the east follow a star that suddenly appeared at Jesus' birth...
Read more in our forum.

New Year

January 1
In countries which ue the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Day is usually celebrated on January 1. The celebration of the New Year is a major event worldwide.
Read more in our forum.

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