State of the Month: Minnesota

Here is the next instalment of my monthly feature going through the States of the United States in alphabetical order to check out how they got named, what their flag is like and other things of interest.

Location – Minnesota is the most Northern State (if you don't count Alaska)

Origin of name – Derived from the Dakota language – meaning clear water

Nicknames – Land of 10,000 Lakes, North Star State

Flag

Capital – Saint Paul – on the banks of the Mississippi River where it joins the Minnesota River.  The city was originally called 'Pig's Eye' – good call to change that one!

Flower – Pink-and-white lady's slipper

Bird – Common Loon

State Tree – Norway pine!  Otherwise known as the red pine

Signature foods – Blueberry muffins, Jucy Lucy Burgers, Butter coffee

Famous places to visit – Split Rock Lighthouse, Minnesota State Fair, Minnehaha Falls

Famous businesses/brands – Target, 3M, Best Buy, Cheerios, Post-It notes, Mall of America (Bloomington), Mayo Clinic

Famous people from Minnesota – Bob Dylan, The Andrews Sisters, Prince, Judy Garland, F Scott Fitzgerald, Jean Paul Getty, Frank Mars (Mars Bars!), Loni Anderson (WKRP in Cincinnatti), James Arness (Gunsmoke),

Go to this Pinboard to see the States of the Month so far.