For many Americans, the word "breakfast" conjures up images of hearty bowls of cereal and toasters popping out slices of golden-brown bread. But it hasn't always been this way. nbsp;Explore how breakfast has changed over time and learn about Minnesotans' impact on this most important and delicious meal of the day!

A recent acquisition of the State Archives came from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Included in this was a complete set of State Park Entrance Stickers. This podcast provides a brief history of use of Minnesota State Parks entrance stickers. State Archives collections are available through the Minnesota Historical Society's Library.

Music Credit: Jason Shaw, Travel Light, at http://audionautix.com/(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

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More information on the State Archive's recent DNR acquisition

More information about Minnesota State Parks

Minnesota is governed by two constitutions - why? Watch this short video to learn more. Hint: politicians not getting along is nothing new.

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We the People: The First Official Printing of the U.S. Constitution is on view at the History Center through July 4, 2012

See full scans of the two Minnesota State Constitutions

Music credit:

"Indiana Polka" By Edmund Jaeger, arranged by J. Schatzman, originally published 1856. From the Library of Congress, Civil War Band Music site.

With summer just around the corner and prime picnicking season already upon us, we present a century's worth of images of that perennial warm-weather sightseeing destination: Minnehaha Falls. Tourists and naturalists alike have long appreciated the falls and surrounding parkland for their dramatic views, shady woods and abundant wildlife. Luckily for future generations, they documented their trips in photographs, many of which are preserved in the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Music credit: Cian Nugent, "Grass Above My Head," recorded live at WFMU on The Long Rally with Scott McDowell, December 16, 2011 (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

This short video addresses the release of the 1940 Federal Census, including what kind of information it contains and how to access it. It also mentions the resources the Minnesota Historical Society has to help find people in it, as indexing will not be complete for another six months or so.

The Minnesota Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, recently requested the transfer of the state's Session Laws to the State Archives of the Minnesota Historical Society. This podcast describes these important historical records, shows the moving process, and explains how they will be preserved for future generations.

Have you been wondering how to use our fabulous new search tool, Collections Online? Take a look at this video for helpful hints to get started finding photographs, objects, artwork, oral histories, moving images, maps, and more! You control the search; you have the power to make it as wide or narrow as need be, so have fun searching!

Music credit: Sometimes (Michael Chapman) / CCBY 3.0

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Collections Online

When genealogists set out to piece together the lives of their research subjects, they often concentrate on text-based sources like letters, city directories and vital records. But photographs also provide a wealth of information about the lives of the people they capture, and can be used to fill in gaps in written histories. The Sadie and Emma Ray Photography Collection takes viewers on a tour through 25 years of one Minnesota family's life at the beginning of the twentieth century, its images offering an emotional depth that can be hard to find in a birth certificate or census form.

In a nation of immigrants, becoming a citizen -- being "naturalized" -- has been an important part of our personal and national history. The naturalization process, and the records that document that process, have changed over time. Learn about these changes and about related resources available at the Minnesota Historical Society Library.

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Family History Immigration Resources in the Library

Ice skating has long been part of Minnesotarsquo;s identity and winter traditions. In this podcast we examine the beginnings of the sport in the state as well as some early innovators who had national and worldwide impact. Enjoy the history, and then get out there ndash; the ice is perfect!

Sondra Reierson

Music credit: nbsp;Chabrier - Espantilde;a ft. NE Iowa high school musicians (Jason Weinberger #38; the WCFSO) / CC BY 3.0