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Minnesota in the '70s

Minnesota in the '70s

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Author Dave Kenney, Author Thomas Saylor

Minnesota Historical Society Press (October 15, 2013)

Reaching far beyond disco with an intriguing and entertaining look at the changes and challenges of the 1970s, the decade in which Minnesota grew into its modern identity.

Description

The 1970s were more than big hair, mirror balls, and leisure suits. These were the years that bridged the chasm between the anti-establishment tumult of the 1960s and the morning-in-America conservatism of the 1980s. In Minnesota, this evolution unfolded in ways that defied expectations. No longer was Minnesota merely a vague, snow-covered outpost in the American consciousness. It was a place of note and consequence—a state of presidential candidates, grassroots activism, civic engagement, environmental awareness, and Mary Tyler Moore. Its governor appeared on the cover of Time magazine. Its city skylines shot up with uncharacteristic immodesty. Its farmers enjoyed some of their best years ever. Minnesota forged an identity during the 1970s that would persist, rightly or wrongly, for decades to come.

This book tells the stories of people, places, and events that defined the state: colorful individuals, including Allan Spear, Arlene Lehto, Wendell Anderson, and Herb Brooks; significant groups like the Willmar 8, American Indian Movement, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, and Save the Met; and news-making events, including the first Earth Day, the Dayton’s bombing, school desegregation battles, and highway construction protests. Richly illustrated with evocative photos, cartoons, and ephemera, this book helps bring the 1970s back to life.

Minnesota in the '70s on TPT's Twin Cities Originals

Watch the companion documentary co-produced with tptMN

Also of interest: Downtown: Minneapolis in the 1970s

Author information

Dave Kenney is a freelance writer specializing in Minnesota history and a two-time Minnesota Book Award winner. Visit his Tumblr site http://mn70s.tumblr.com/ and follow him on Twitter @MN70s

Thomas Saylor is a professor of history at Concordia University in St. Paul and the author of two books on Minnesotans in World War II, Long Hard Road and Remembering the Good War.

Reviews and news

Watch the companion documentary co-produced with tptMN

Nominated for an Upper Midwest Emmy® Award!

MPR Interview

Dave Kenney on tpt’s Almanac

Fox 9 Morning with M. A. Rosko

Star Tribune Video with James Lileks

MinnPost

KUMD Interview

WJON Interview

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the ’70s by documentary producer, Daniel Bergin.


  • 288 pages
  • 140 black & white photos
  • 7 x 10 inches
  • ISBN: 9780873518932

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