History

Unsung Americans with Minnesota‘s own Sharon McMahon
Sharon McMahon went viral in 2020 when the former government teacher took to Instagram to battle misinformation. Now the Minnesotan is out with a book that combines her passion for history with her belief that everyday people can influence democracy in “The Small and the Mighty.”
President Biden to apologize for 150-year Indian boarding school policy
President Joe Biden is planning to formally apologize for the nation's Indian boarding school system, which included at least 16 schools in Minnesota. This is the first time a president has formally apologized on the matter.
Archaeologists discover 12 skeletons at a buried tomb in Petra, Jordan
The Treasury in Petra, Jordan, is a famous tourist site and features in an Indiana Jones movie. Now archaeologists say they've found a remarkable 12 complete skeletons in a hidden tomb beneath it.
The Breakthrough of ’48: When Civil Rights Won the White House
At the 1948 Democratic National Convention, Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphrey demanded his party “walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights.” Southern Democrats defected, creating their own Dixiecrat Party. But President Harry Truman ran for re-election as the candidate of civil rights, and his dramatic victory set the stage for the landmark civil rights laws of the 1960s.
Tim Walz’s experience in China could help him as veep, but he barely mentions it as a candidate
When Gov. Tim Walz first ran for Congress in 2006, his campaign proudly touted his extensive experience in China. In fact, earlier in his political career, he occasionally exaggerated it. But now that he’s running for vice president, Walz barely mentions China. And Republicans have tried to turn those connections into a political liability.
Minnesotan discovers new insight into former President Richard Nixon’s views on marijuana
Minnesota lobbyist Kurtis Hanna listened to hours of taped conversations from the Nixon White House. In one, the former president who started the war on drugs said that marijuana was not dangerous.
Tito Jackson, member of the Jackson 5, dies at 70
The singer and guitarist was part of sibling quintet that took over the pop world in 1969 — it released four consecutive No. 1 hits — and launched a family entertainment dynasty that lasted decades.
Minnesota’s oldest Black-owned newspaper celebrates 90 years in print
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the history and future of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Minnesota’s oldest Black-owned newspaper just celebrated 90 years in print.
After the debate, Harris, with Biden, and Trump will commemorate 9/11 anniversary
Vice President Kamala Harris will join President Joe Biden on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 with visits to all of the crash sites. Former President Donald Trump will also travel to New York and Pennsylvania.