1. On December 20, 1857, Minnesota became the 32nd state to join the Union. The state was carved out of the former Northwest Territory and its name comes from a Dakota Sioux word "Mnisota," which means "cloudy water."

2. In 1903, the Duluth Street Railway Employees Union went on strike to protest unfair working conditions. The strike lasted for three weeks and resulted in clashes between the strikers and the police. The workers eventually won better wages and working conditions.

3. On December 20, 1942, the Minneapolis Lakers played their first game as part of the newly formed National Basketball League (NBL). The Lakers would go on to win the NBL championship that year and eventually become one of the most successful franchises in the history of the NBA.

4. The historic Fergus Falls State Hospital opened its doors on December 20, 1890. The hospital was designed to be a model for the humane treatment of the mentally ill and its architecture was influenced by the "Kirkbride Plan," which called for the use of natural surroundings and sunlight as part of the therapeutic process.

5. The Minnesota Vikings clinched their first ever division title on December 20, 1968, by defeating the Detroit Lions. The team went on to win the NFL's Western Conference Championship, but lost to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.