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Minneapolis, Minn.

Why are we losing interest in history?

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First Minnesota Capitol
The first Minnesota State Capitol building, built in 1853 and used until 1873.
Photographer, Whitney & Zimmerman; courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

This month there will be a series of special events to mark Minnesota's sesquicentennial.

There will be a wagon train from Cannon Falls to St. Paul, a traveling exhibit featuring a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and a day of patriotic activities at the State Capitol.

But this year's party will pale in comparison to all the hoopla that surrounded the state's centennial celebration in 1958.

In the foreword to Karal Ann Marling's new book about the history of Minnesota, WCCO-TV anchor Don Shelby explores why our interest in the past isn't what it once was.

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First Minnesota Capitol
The first Minnesota State Capitol building, built in 1853 and used until 1873.
Photographer, Whitney & Zimmerman; courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society