August 29, 2007
For Immediate Release:
Constitution Day at the State Fair
Tane S. Danger
E-mail: tane@mn150years.orgSnail:
C/o Sesquicentennial Commission
240 Summit Ave
St. Paul, MN 5510
(651)-296-1870 (office)
(507)-469-1433 (cell)
Honoring 150 years of civic participation and kicking off the statehood Sesquicentennial
Up until that day, the Democrats and Republicans were so bitterly divided they held totally separate constitutional conventions and drafted two separate state constitutions. After bitter partisan bickering that makes today’s political squabbles look friendly, Democrats and Republicans finally came together August 29th, 1857 to complete one of the last key steps toward Minnesota’s eventual induction into the Union in 1858. Those original Minnesota activists set the tone for 150 years of passionate citizen engagement in Minnesota government.
The Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission is joining with Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and Supreme Court Justice Paul H. Anderson to remind Minnesotans of their proud past of civic participation and to look forward to an equally engaged future. For August 29, 2007, the Commission has organized several events with the help of the State Fair for this grand anniversary.
Commission staff chose this day as the first time to raise the official State Sesquicentennial flag anywhere, deciding to have it proudly fly over the State Fairgrounds in tribute to this important document.
The Constitution will receive a custom designed birthday cake created by a local bakery. Cakes by Fhoua in St. Paul worked with the Sesqui-staff to design and create a cake that would highlight the importance of this milestone.
Throughout the day, Sesquicentennial staff and volunteers will distribute “Constitutions-on-a-Stick;” a token reminder of the two original versions of the state constitution and how our state’s founders discovered compromise.
Constitution Day also serves as a kick-off event for the upcoming 2008 year and a Fall season of events and program beginnings for the 150th anniversary of statehood. The Sesquicentennial Commission has been promoting projects and events since the Fair’s start last week and will be at their booth through Labor Day. Autumn is full of Sesquicentennial events all ramping up for a yearlong commemoration of Minnesota’s 150th anniversary.
On September 18th the Commission will be in Stillwater, Minnesota, to launch the Community Spirit Kit program. The state’s oldest downtown will serve as the prototype for other communities looking to spruce up their streets with Sesquicentennial gear. Make sure to join the Commission in Stillwater to see the first pole banners, flags, window treatments and other street graphics that could help dress up your community, too.
On October 6th, the Sesquicentennial will unveil the official statehood commemorative stamp in Winona. The stamp, which features a brilliant image that testifies to Minnesota’s natural beauty, will go on sale nationwide in 2008.
For more information about these or any other events the Sesquicentennial is planning, please visit the website at www.mn150years.org. If you would like to set up an interview or need any more information, please contact Tane S. Danger at (612)-670-0596.
Beginning in January 2008, the Sesquicentennial will be a yearlong, statewide commemoration and a catalyst, to learn from our past and connect all Minnesotans in creating a thriving, innovative future.
The Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission, created by the Legislature in 2005, has selected four major theme areas for the 150th observances: Education, Innovation, Arts & Cultures, and Health & Wellness. In addition, they will be shining the spotlight on Minnesota’s natural resources and our great outdoors heritage.
The Commission is joined in this effort by the Minnesota Historical Society, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State College and University System as key players, along with Explore Minnesota Tourism and other state agencies and private and non-profit partners, in organizing Minnesota’s 150th anniversary.