President James Buchanan signed legislation on May 11, 1858 that made Minnesota the 32nd state in the Union.

When word got back to St. Paul it sparked days of celebration. The state's first governor, Henry Hastings Sibley, said the state had finally been freed from "territorial vassalage."

Events have been held around the state tied to the state's sesquicentennial anniversary and Sunday saw a ceremony and speeches on the state Capitol grounds in St. Paul.

More events will be held throughout the summer. A full list can be found at the Minnesota State Historical Society's Web site: http://www.mn150years.org">www.mn150years.org.