- The Minneapolis Teamsters' strike was one of the most violent in the state's history, and a major battle in the war between business and labor. In 1934, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters had organized 3,000 transportation workers of the trucking industry into an industrial union. Union leaders called a strike when employers refused to recognize the union, and trucking operations in the city came to a halt. The strikers clashed with police and hundreds of strikers were arrested. The strike ended when the union was recognized, but not before four people were killed and hundreds wounded.
- The American Indian Movement was founded in Minneapolis in 1968 to combat police brutality, and quickly developed into a full-fledged American Indian rights movement. The movement soon spread to other parts of the country. AIM eventually drew the attention of the FBI, and a confrontation occurred in 1973 in Wounded Knee, South Dakota. A standoff followed which resulted in the deaths of two people and arrests of nearly 1,200. Many AIM leaders were brought back to Minnesota to stand trial, and were subsequently acquitted.
- The Washburn 'A' Mill in Minneapolis, the largest flour mill in the U.S. at that time, exploded on May 2, 1878, killing 18 people. The mill exploded when flour dust in the air ignited inside the facility. The explosion destroyed much of the surrounding area. The explosion led to reforms in the milling industry including improved ventilation systems.
- Songwriter/singer Bob Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman in Duluth in 1941. Dylan became the voice of his generation as his early 1960's hits, "Blowing in the Wind" and "The Times They Are Changing," became symbols of the civil rights and anti-war movements. Dylan, whose music was influenced by Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Little Richard, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
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