June 19 1852

By an act of Congress, the St. Peter’s River is renamed with its original Dakota name, “Minnesota,” translated as either “sky-colored waters” or “muddy water.” The river had been known as “St. Pierre” for 150 years, since the days of the explorer Pierre Charles Le Sueur.

Thanks to FOCUS 10 Northfield High School and Clare Foley for the research on June’s Day in History.

Thanks also to Minnesota’s Learn and Serve America Service Learning Program for their help.

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