Dictionary.net

a State of the Union, was formed partly from the Northwest Territory and partly from the Louisiana Purchase. In 1678 Duluth visited the territory, and in 1680 Hennepin discovered and named the Falls of St. Anthony. In 1763 France ceded the eastern part to England, by whom it was ceded to the United States in 1783; the rest was acquired in 1803. Settlements were made near St. Paul by 1830, and at Stillwater in 1843. Minnesota was organized as a territory in 1849, and included the modern territory of the Dakotas. It had been a part of the territory of Missouri, and later of Iowa. May 11, 1858, Minnesota became a State. In 1862 serious attacks were made by the Sioux Indians. The State has always been Republican. Its present Constitution was made in 1857. The population of the State in 1860 was 172,023; in 1890 it was 1,301,826. History by Neill.