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Regional History

US-Dakota War exhibit heads to Smithsonian
An exhibit commemorating the Dakota-U.S. war of 1862 is heading to the Smithsonian Institution. The 12-panel exhibit depicts a range of events, beginning from when the Native Americans and settlers first met and culminating with their recent efforts to reconcile.March 31, 2013
LIVE: Teaching the U.S.-Dakota War
Producer John Biewen and other guests participate in a live video conversation following Biewen's "Little War on the Prairie" documentary about the U.S.-Dakota War, and how to teach students about that event.December 12, 2012
The Dakota War through a Minnesotan's eyes
It was 150 years ago this month that the U.S.-Dakota war ended with one of the most noteworthy events in Minneosta history -- the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato. We hear the story today from the perspective of a Mankato native -- longtime public radio producer John Biewen. John heard next to nothing about the U.S.-Dakota War during his childhood there. Over the past year, John traveled southern Minnesota to places where key events occurred, so he could explore what happened in all its complexity.December 11, 2012
Little War on the Prairie
It was 150 years ago this month that the U.S.-Dakota war ended with one of the most noteworthy events in Minnesota history -- the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato. We tell the story from the perspective of John Biewen, a Mankato native who heard next to nothing about the war during his childhood there.December 11, 2012
Bright Ideas with Brian Horrigan
Host Stephen Smith and his guest Brian Horrigan of the Minnesota Historical Society discuss the legacy of Charles Lindbergh.August 24, 2012
Lonely outpost marks US-Dakota War's start
It was 150 years ago today that four angry Dakota Indians killed several settlers near the tiny town of Acton, Minn. Within a day, the Lower Sioux Agency had been overrun and an unprecedented war between the Dakota and U.S. soldiers had begun. The effects of that war, which lasted just a few weeks, still reverberate in Minnesota today.August 17, 2012
Clinton to help dedicate statue for Humphrey
Former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Walter Mondale plan to pay tribute to another Democratic icon, Hubert Humphrey, by dedicating a statue in his honor on the Minnesota Capitol lawn.July 24, 2012
New African American Museum opens in Minneapolis this weekend
The new Minnesota African American Museum and Cultural Center in Minneapolis opens this weekend, in an old Victorian era mansion known as the Coe House. MPR's Tom Crann talked today with the founder of the museum, Roxanne Givens.June 1, 2012
The Dakota War, and Gov. Henry Sibley in retrospect
As we head into the somber commemoration of the Dakota War this year, we thought it appropriate to call in historian Annette Atkins to help us learn more about Gov. Henry Sibley and his times, and the events that laid the groundwork for the war.February 20, 2012
Video: Eichten reflects on a lifetime on the radio
Minnesota Public Radio host Gary Eichten reflects on his 45-year career in radio, as he approaches his retirement on Jan. 20, 2012.January 19, 2012
Gov. declares 'Gary Eichten Day' in Minn.
Gov. Mark Dayton has declared tomorrow "Gary Eichten Day" in Minnesota, to honor Eichten as he retires from Minnesota Public Radio after a 45-year career. Dayton presented Eichten with the proclamation during an appearance on the Midday program today.January 19, 2012
WWII Medal of Honor recipient laid to rest Saturday
Funeral services are tomorrow in Duluth for the last living Medal of Honor recipient in Minnesota. Mike Colalillo earned the honor during World War II. The West Duluth resident died last week at the age of 86. Nearly four years ago, Colalillo spoke with MPR's Mark Steil about his experiences during World War II. Steil's original report aired in January 2008.January 6, 2012
A photographic history tour of the St. Paul Ford plant
The Ford assembly plant in St. Paul is closing down for good on Dec. 16, after a century of auto manufacturing in the Twin Cities. The history of the plant mirrored the development of the entire auto industry. Historian Brian McMahon takes us on a photographic tour.December 16, 2011
Burning Swede Hollow: Why an immigrant community deliberately went up in flames
Fifty-five years ago this coming Sunday, the St. Paul immigrant community known as Swede Hollow went up in flames -- deliberately.December 9, 2011
Restoration project brings war relic, memories back to life for veterans
A 46-year-old war relic is being brought painstakingly back to life by a group of Minnesota military veterans. The veterans have volunteered hundreds of hours of their time for almost a year to restore an UH-1H helicopter flown in Vietnam.August 1, 2011