Welcome to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where the winters are cold, the summers are idyllic, and the people are nice. Minnesota is a state full of surprises and quirky charm, from the home of the Mall of America to the birthplace of Prince. Whether you’re a fan of outdoor adventures, sports, or just interesting trivia, there’s something for everyone in Minnesota. So, grab your winter jacket, and let’s discover 20 amazing Minnesota facts that will make you say, “You betcha!”
1-5 Fun Facts About Minnesota
1. Minnesota, with a land area of 86,936 square miles (225,163 square kilometers), is the 12th largest state in America.
2. If Minnesota were a country, it would be roughly equivalent in size to Laos or twice as big as Honduras.
3. With a population of over 5.7 million people, Minnesota is the 22nd most populous state in the United States, falling between Colorado and South Carolina in terms of population.
4. The capital city of Minnesota is Saint Paul, which is home to approximately 311,000 people.
5. Minnesota’s state motto is “L’Étoile du Nord,” which translates to “star of the north” in French.
6-10 Interesting Facts About Minnesota
6. According to a recent study, Minnesota has more exercise facilities per capita than any other state in the U.S., although it is unclear how many people actually use them.
7. Minnesota boasts the fourth-highest life expectancy in the United States, after Hawaii, California, and New York state, making it a healthy and desirable place to live.
8. Minnesota offers a unique shopping experience for fashion enthusiasts as there is no sales tax on footwear and clothing.
9. The state is also the birthplace of two legendary musicians. The iconic singer-songwriter and activist Bob Dylan was born in Duluth, Minnesota, while the enigmatic Prince Rogers Nelson, popularly known as Prince, was born in Minneapolis in 1958.
10. However, Minnesota has some peculiar laws that may leave you scratching your head. For instance, it’s illegal to cross the state line with a chicken or duck on your head.
11-15 Embarrassing Facts About Minnesota
11. If you’re a man residing in Brainerd, you’re obligated to grow a beard by law.
12. Additionally, if you plan to drive down Lake Street in Minneapolis, keep in mind that driving a red car is illegal on this street.
13. The room with 99.99% sound blocking is called the “anechoic chamber” and is located at Orfield Laboratories in South Minneapolis. It holds the Guinness World Record for being the quietest place on earth. It leads people in it to hear their blood flowing and heart pumping and eventually leading to hallucinations.
14. Minnesota takes its patriotic duty seriously! They are the lone state that mandates any American flags sold within their borders must be made in the good old U.S.A.
15. The Civil War may be long over, but the Battle of the Flags rages on in Minnesota! For over a century, the state has stubbornly refused to return a captured Confederate banner to Virginia, standing firm in its conviction.
Read More: 20 Mind-Blowing Facts about Civil War That Will Amaze You
16-20 Awesome Facts About Minnesota
16. When Minnesota decided to snuff out smoking in public places, one bar had a clever workaround: declare everyone inside to be actors, and therefore exempt from the new law.
17. In the town of Cormorant, politics has gone to the dogs. Quite literally! Since 2014, a lovable pooch named Duke has been serving as the town’s mayor, having won three consecutive re-elections. No bones about it, this dog has got some serious charisma.
18. One bear’s curiosity almost caused a nuclear apocalypse in Minnesota back in 1962! When the critter climbed a fence at an air base, it triggered a series of events that resulted in pilots frantically taking off, thinking World War III had begun. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, and the bear was eventually shooed away.
Read More: 20 Mind-Blowing Facts About Bears That You Probably Didn’t Know
19. When it comes to state constitutions, Minnesota couldn’t agree to disagree – in fact, they made two separate ones, with the Republicans and Democrats each drafting their own version, resulting in some unique differences in language and grammar.
20. If you’ve ever dreamed of driving a tank, Minnesota may be your best bet – it’s one of only two places in the world where civilians can legally do so, as well as fire them for added excitement.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 20 Interesting Minnesota For Kids.
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