Come to the History Center this Sun., Aug. 14, for Minnesota's Greatest Generation Day. Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II with exciting events, free ice cream, a B-25 fly over and much more!

The Depression. The War. The Boom. Minnesota’s Greatest Generation lived through it all. The result is a variety of rich and diverse life stories – tragic to heroic, dramatic to ordinary. But too many of these stories are in danger of being lost.

This Sunday marks the official launch of the Society's Minnesota's Greatest Generation Project, a multi-year initiative designed to preserve the memories and treasures of Minnesota’s Greatest Generation. Learn more about how you can save and care for heirlooms and memories that helped shape who you are, and that connect you to Minnesota’s Greatest Generation.

10:00 – noon Member Breakfast and Ask the Experts Program (Bring World War II-era items from your own collections and have them appraised for their historic significance. Make breakfast reservations, and sign up to bring an item for Ask the Experts, at 651-297-8285 by Thurs., Aug. 11.)

12:30 – 1:30 Ask the Experts (learn about the historical significance of artifacts from this era, and how to preserve them)

1:30 – 2:00 Beasley’s Big Band & Dancing

1:30 – 4:00 Ice Cream Social

Nina Archabal, Society director
Gov. Tim Pawlenty
John W. Vessey Jr., General, U.S. Army (retired)

B-25 fly over
Tolling of the Cathedral of Saint Paul’s bells
Original radio broadcast of the end of the war

2:30 – 3:30 Eyewitness Accounts (hear stories – and share your own – relating to life during the “Greatest Generation” years)

3:00 – 3:30 Beasley’s Big Band & Dancing

5:00 Conclusion

Indoor and outdoor event schedule is subject to change.

Enjoy these events throughout the afternoon:

• World War II Posters - Level 1

• Peace Crane Activity - Level 2 (Make a paper peace crane that will be sent to St. Paul’s sister city, Nagasaki, Japan, for International Peace Day on Sept. 15.)

• History Player - Level 2 (See live reenactments of Virginia Mae Hope’s life as a WWII Women’s Air Force Service Pilot (WASP).)

• Ask the Author - Level 3 (Meet authors Thomas Saylor, "Remembering the Good War," and Dave Kenney, "Minnesota Goes to War." WWII experts Don Patton and Doug Bekke will also be on hand.)

• USS Ward Display - Level 3 (visit with veterans, members of the First Shot Club, and see a model of the USS Ward on display)

• Web Resources - Café Minnesota (Discover how the Internet can help you learn more about this generation and help preserve its legacy. Visit the Minnesota's Greatest Generation web site. Talk with Society librarians to gain research tips.)
  
  
  

• Classic Cars Display - Circle Drive near parking lot
  
  
• History Center Exhibits - Level 3
  
  
• History Day Displays - Level 3
  

Please join us! If you can't make it to the History Center on Aug. 14, check out some of the other Minnesota's Greatest Generation events statewide.