History Note – Was it heartless humor or clever commentary?
Throughout the first two weeks of September 1889, the St. Paul and Minneapolis newspapers reported that no jurors had yet been selected […]
Author Archives: Luther Granquist
State special education laws evolved over time
In March 1915 the Minnesota Legislature passed the state’s first special education law. William North, a young man in the brokerage business […]
Then as now, immigration proved to be controversial
Recently, immigration and how it should be regulated has been in the headlines. Unfortunately, a look back to 1888 shows […]
Pioneering pastor struggled to find transportation
In June 1972 Barbara Andrews was one of a group of persons with disabilities who urged the Bill of Rights […]
Then as now, award winner spoke out for our rights
2012 Charlie Smith Award winner Charles Van Heuveln has long been a champion of disability rights. The remarks below by […]
Travel arrangements would be unacceptable today
The Wright County Eagle for Friday, July 31, 1874 reported that Sheriff John Nugent had come through Delano the previous […]
A leader with promise had life cut short by illness
Anna Johnson, her husband, and her six-month-old child left Norway in April 1868 bound for Fillmore County in Minnesota. The […]
Forgotten lives can now be found
More than 2,500 patients lie buried in three St. Peter State Hospital cemeteries. In the earliest cemetery, established shortly after […]
Dr. Mattocks: an early advocate for Minnesota children
There is a contemporary flavor to newspaper reports of the debate in the 1879 legislature about what to do about […]
In a word: Ballot’s outcome hinges on language
“Shall the Minnesota constitution be amended to require all voters to present valid photo identification to vote and to require […]
Changes removed barrier to community integration
The Minnesota Department of Human Services agreed in 2011 to develop a comprehensive plan to provide services for persons with […]
Babies benefitted greatly from one doctor’s research
In October the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the Minnesota Department of Health could not retain blood samples from the […]
Court approves METO settlement agreement
After a two-hour hearing in federal district court on Thursday, Dec. 1, Judge Donovan Frank ordered final approval of the […]
The little girl and the Great Communicator, years later
Thirty years ago, on Nov. 10, 1981, President Ronald Reagan told a story about an Iowa girl story at a […]
Lives Worth Living airs in October Show explores disability movement history
While there are close to 50 million Americans living with disabilities, Lives Worth Living is the first television history of […]