1. In 1836, Jean-Nicolas Nicollet, a French geographer and mathematician, led an expedition that arrived on the shore of Lake Superior on June 28. Nicollet went on to explore the region, including the Minnesota River Valley, and produced detailed maps that became a crucial resource for future settlers and surveyors.

2. On June 28, 1862, the Dakota War began in southwestern Minnesota. The conflict arose from longstanding tensions between the Dakota people and white settlers, as well as broken promises and mistreatment on the part of the U.S. government. The war lasted six weeks and left hundreds of people dead, many of them Dakota.

3. Minnesota was admitted to the Union as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858, but June 28, 1894 marked an important milestone in the state's history as well. On that day, the state's first state park, Itasca State Park, was established. Located in northern Minnesota, Itasca is home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River and boasts beautiful forests and lakes.

4. In 1925, a tornado swept through the town of Sauk Rapids on June 28, leaving 72 people dead and hundreds more injured. The storm destroyed much of the town's downtown area, including many businesses and homes.

5. On June 28, 2010, Minnesota's historic Guthrie Theater opened its new home on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis. The new building includes three theaters, rehearsal halls, a restaurant, and a skybridge that connects it to the neighboring Mill City Museum. The Guthrie has been a key cultural institution in Minnesota since its founding in 1963.