- Lincoln's Funeral Car in Columbia Heights
1905Lincoln's funeral car is purchased by Thomas Lowry, streetcar magnate, and parked in Columbia Heights. It is visited by hundreds of thousands of Americans before burning in a prairie fire in 1911.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=189212&Page=1&Keywords=lincoln%20funeral&SearchType=Basic
- Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Apr 14, 1865Lincoln is murdered while attending a play at Ford's Theater.
- First Minnesota at Gettysburg
Jul 2, 1863At Gettysburg, the First Minnesota withstood the onslaught of Pickett's Charge on Cemetery Ridge, repelling the Confederate Forces. The victory came at great cost: 82% of the First MN were killed or wounded in the battle.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=303&Page=1&Digital=Yes&EndDate=1863&Keywords=gettysburg&StartDate=1860&SearchType=Basic
- Emanicaption Proclamation
Jan 1, 1863The executive order committing the Union to ending slavery. In practice, this was only possible as the Army moved forward, meaning all slaves were not freed until 1865.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=138807&Page=3&Digital=Yes&Keywords=lincoln&SearchType=Basic
- Lincoln Letter Ordering Executions
Dec 6, 1862A letter written by Lincoln on this date ordered the execution of 39 Dakota men involved in the Dakota Conflict.
Outraged by the war, white Minnesotans want the Dakota punished. Governor Ramsey insists that they "must be exterminated or driven forever beyond the borders of the State."
Thirty-eight Dakota are hanged, the largest mass execution in U.S. history. About 130 women and children die in a prison camp, and hundreds more perish of starvation or disease over the next four years.
Learn More:
Dakota War of 1862
http://www.mnhs.org/library/tips/history_topics/94dakota_letter01.html
- Morrill Land Grant Act
Jul 2, 1862Lincoln signs the Morrill Land Grant Act, giving land for universities to be established in new western states with a primary focus on agriculture and mechanic arts. The University of Minnesota is a land grant university.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=141947&Page=1&EndDate=1880&Keywords=university%20of%20minnesota&StartDate=1860&SearchType=Basic
- Pacific Railway Act
Jul 1, 1862Lincoln signed into law the Pacific Railway Act, provided Federal subsidies in land and loans for the construction of a transcontinental railroad across the United States. Due to this Act Minnesota is able to become a transportation hub for the farm lands of the Upper Midwest.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=99267&Page=1&Digital=Yes&EndDate=1880&Keywords=railroad&StartDate=1860&SearchType=Basic
- U.S. - Dakota Conflict
1862When the U.S. government broke its promises, some of the Dakota Indians went to war against the white settlers. Many Dakota did not join in, choosing to aid and protect settlers instead. The fighting lasted six weeks and many people on both sides were killed or fled Minnesota.
http://www.mnhs.org/library/tips/history_topics/94dakota.html
- Homestead Act
May 20, 1862The goal of the Homestead Act was to make acquiring land easier and increase settlement, which was very important for a new state such as Minnesota. The land question that was resolved by the passing of this law was one of the reason Lincoln won the 1860 election in Minnesota by nearly two to one.
The Homestead Act offered millions of acres of free land to settlers who stay on the land for five years. Lumber companies acquire valuable timber lands through fraudulent claims.
"A Homestead Bill Passed. Minnesota will derive great benefit from the passage of this act. Not only will it afford relief to thousands of settlers at present upon our public domain, but offer additional inducements for emigrants from the east and the old country to settle among us." -Mankato Record, June 26, 1862
The act brings 75,000 people to Minnesota over 3 years. To qualify for 160 free acres, settlers have to live on it for five years, farm, and build a permanent dwelling. Those able to spend the money can buy the 160 acres at $1.25 an acre after living on it for six months.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=142430&Page=1&Keywords=whitefield&SearchType=Basic
- President Lincoln and the Department of Agriculture
May 15, 1862Lincoln signs bill establishing the Department of Agriculture, an important agency for rural and western states such as Minnesota.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=102328&Page=3&Digital=Yes&EndDate=1900&Keywords=farm&StartDate=1855&SearchType=Basic
- First Minnesota Mustered into Service
Apr 29, 1861Nine hundred and fifty (950) men were mustered into Federal service at Fort Snelling and Willis Gorman was named Colonel of the First Minnesota Regiment.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=32348&Page=1&Digital=Yes&EndDate=1863&Keywords=company%20d%20first%20minnesota&StartDate=1860&SearchType=Basic
- Alexander Ramsey in Washington D.C.
Apr 14, 1861On April 14 Governor Ramsey of Minnesota learned of the occupation of Ft. Sumter by Confederate troops and went to see his old Pennsylvania friend, Simon Cameron, Secretary of War and offered one thousand men from MN for national service.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=134925&Page=1&Digital=Yes&EndDate=1863&Keywords=alexander%20ramsey&StartDate=1860&SearchType=Basic
- Lincoln elected 16th president
Nov 6, 1860The issues of land and slavery, as well as a split Democratic Party, resulted in an overwhelming Lincoln victory in Minnesota, a nearly two to one margin (22,069 for Lincoln to 11,920 for Douglas), a far larger margin than he won elsewhere. This victory cemented the dominance of the Republican Party in Minnesota politics for decades to come.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=144845&Page=1&Keywords=abraham%20lincoln&SearchType=Basic
- William Seward's Campaign Visit to Minnesota
Sep 18, 1860Presidential candidates did not campaign in person during this era; it was considered "undignified." So one of Lincoln's past rivals for the nomination and future Secretary of State, Seward, came to Minnesota to stump on Lincoln's behalf. He spoke to a crowd of 5,000 (half the size of Saint Paul at the time!) from the old Capitol steps.
- Wide-Awakes
1860A pro-Lincoln group, they got out the vote and increased awareness for their candidate by dramatic night time marches featuring distinctive uniforms and flaming torches. The marches usually ended with a rally and speeches.
- Dred Scott Decision
1857Dred Scott based his claim of freedom in part on a stay at Fort Snelling, which was in free territory that eventually became Minnesota.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=183133&Page=1&Keywords=dred%20scott&SearchType=Basic
- Birth of Abraham Lincoln
Feb 12, 1809Lincoln is born in a log cabin in Kentucky.
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