After this week's momentous Supreme Court ruling I posted about the 1933 Enabling Act in Germany as a warning about the dangers of growing totalitarianism. Disappointed to learn @moderation.bsky.app labelled it "radical views advocating violence, hate, or discrimination." Very poor job @bsky.app
March 23 1933, the Enabling Act becomes law in Germany, giving the chief executive power enforce his own laws without checks and balances. The passing of the Act marked the formal transition from democratic republic to totalitarian dictatorship. 6 months later, it was a 1 party state.
Mni Sóta Territory depicted in the 1857 Atlas of the United States. County lines in red, survey lines for the proposed Pacific Railway in purple. Map by HD Rogers & AK Johnston, London, via University of Minnesota Borchert Map Library
March 23 1933, the Enabling Act becomes law in Germany, giving the chief executive power enforce his own laws without checks and balances. The passing of the Act marked the formal transition from democratic republic to totalitarian dictatorship. 6 months later, it was a 1 party state.
50 years ago today the Twin Cities Pride Event had grown from earlier small protests to nearly 400 attendees, with speakers such as newly elected MN Senator Allan Spear. 6 months later he came out as the first openly gay male elected official anywhere in the US, creating a national sensation
History snippet: The very first Twin Cities Pride events guide from 1973 was no more than a small flier. In a detail that's hard to imagine today, it was designed so that a holder could quickly fold and discard it in the event of a police raid.
History snippet: The very first Twin Cities Pride events guide from 1973 was no more than a small flier. In a detail that's hard to imagine today, it was designed so that a holder could quickly fold and discard it in the event of a police raid.
100 years ago the Twin Cities were among the top railway centers in the US. Today the only passenger stations are NorthStar commuter in Minneapolis and Amtrak at St Paul Union Depot. Let's visit all the lost train stations, starting with downtown Minneapolis. There were 15! 🧵
Today's history tidbit: June 1931, the brand new First National Bank opens in St Paul, Minnesota. A classic art deco confection by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White and tallest building in the city until 1986. The world's first skyway is visible on the 16th floor.
Today in history: Civil War veterans carry the Minnesota regimental flags from the old state capitol to Cass Gilbert's magnificent new building on Capitol Hill, June 14, 1905. The 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment saved the Union lines during the battle of Gettysburg.
Eastern bluebird (I believe) perched at the tip of the soldier’s bayonet on the 1st Minnesota regimental monument at Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania
Travelers on the Chicago & North Western's premiere express "Twin Cities 400", so named because it ran the distance between St Paul and Chicago in 400 minutes. It and competitor Milwaukee Road's "Hiawatha" were the fastest scheduled trains in the world. Dec 1939
Over on that other app that shall not be named, @soupformyfam.meatjacker.social posted this fun photo with the Stone Arch Bridge edited out of the background. But there was a bridge exactly at this spot, in fact two, before the Stone Arch was even contemplated. Time for another bridge history 🧵
During the Stone Arch Bridge closure, ped/bike Bridge No. 9 is a fantastic alternative. It has everything: great connections, dramatic river views, rare design, a big role in University history, even a lost city underneath. All that juice calls for yet another bridge thread! 🧵
In less than 24 hours the Stone Arch Bridge will close for 2 years of restoration. Among the greatest engineering achievements of the 19th century, the story of how it came to be is as big as the structure itself. A SAB #history mega thread! 🧵
On this day in 1919, Zeppelin LZ210 "Bodensee" moored atop the Witch's Hat Water Tower to the delight of the assembled citizens of Minneapolis. It was the first and only time the tower was used for its originally designed purpose as a docking station for airships.
TIL the John A. Blatnik Bridge High Bridge carrying I-535 in Duluth has "safety dolphins" to protect it from collisions with ships h/t Schauer Photo Images
Ard Godfrey house during its circus act phase in 1936. Looming behind a few feet away is the Industrial Exposition building, which had only 4 more years to live.
