Pionerd

History

About

Pionerd is a daily Minnesota history podcast. Every day, one story drawn from the people, places, and moments that shaped the state we call home. From the Iron Range to the Mississippi headwaters, from the Twin Cities to the small towns most maps forget, Minnesota's history is richer and stranger than most people realize. Join us every day and find out what happened here.

Episodes

  • Two Constitutions and the 32nd State

    This episode explores the complex creation of Minnesota's state constitution, including the unusual circumstances surrounding its 1858 ratification. It examines how political division led to the drafting of two distinct versions and the re…

  • She Created Mother's Day and He Carried a Red Umbrella

    This episode explores the history of the first Mother's Day service held by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and the arrival of Giacomo Costantino Beltrami at Fort Snelling aboard the steamship Virginia in 1823.

  • The University of Minnesota Shuts Down

    The University of Minnesota experienced eight days in May 1972 that became the most turbulent moment in its history, a story not widely known.

  • He Wore a Gophers Visor and Told Us the World Was Getting Better

    This episode of Pionerd explores the history of the Tibetan community in Minnesota, focusing on Thupten Dadak's role in building it. Host Robert Thomas recounts how forty dollars led to significant growth and describes a 2011 event in Minn…

  • The Law That Broke the Still

    This episode of Pionerd examines the Winnipeg Liquor Conspiracy of 1920, which involved law enforcement officials in Hennepin County, and the broader impact of Prohibition in Minnesota. It also touches upon the origins of the law that was…

  • Roaring Like Drunken Devils and the Night the Sirens Wailed

    This episode recounts the 1965 Twin Cities tornado outbreak, which included six tornadoes and resulted in thirteen deaths. It also explores the Weather Bureau's response and a forecaster's decision to repurpose Cold War infrastructure.

  • In the Heart of the Beast - How Minneapolis Invented Its Own May Day

    This episode recounts the history of the May Day celebration in Minneapolis, which began on May 5th, 1975. It covers the fifty-year tradition started by the In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theatre.

  • The Ford Plant Comes to St. Paul

    This episode recounts the history of the Ford Twin Cities plant in St. Paul, from its opening in 1925 and decades of automobile production to its eventual closure. It covers the plant's origins, its power source from the Mississippi River,…

  • The First Ocean Ship Enters Duluth

    This episode recounts the story of the Ramon de Larrinaga, the first ocean ship to reach Duluth, and the impact of the St. Lawrence Seaway on the port city.

  • The Night the Mills Exploded

    On May 2nd, 1878, a flour dust explosion at the Washburn A Mill in Minneapolis killed eighteen men and devastated the city's milling capacity. This event led to significant transformations in Minneapolis and across the country, influencing…

  • Say Hey in the Snow - Willie Mays Opens in Minneapolis

    This episode recounts Willie Mays' arrival in Minneapolis on May 1st, 1951, where he experienced snow on the ground.

  • Pionerd Trailer

    This is the trailer for Pionerd, a new daily podcast about Minnesota history. The podcast will share one Minnesota history story every day.