1. On August 17, 1862, the Dakota Uprising began in Minnesota. The conflict lasted for six weeks and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of settlers and Dakota people. It led to the largest mass execution in U.S. history, as 38 Dakota warriors were hanged in Mankato.

2. The world-renowned Mayo Clinic was founded in Rochester, Minnesota on August 17, 1883. Today it is a world leader in medical research and treatment, with locations across the United States.

3. On August 17, 1907, the Minnesota School of the Air, one of the first radio education programs in the country, began broadcasting. It provided classes to students across the state who lacked access to traditional classrooms.

4. Minnesota native and baseball legend Rod Carew hit his 3,000th career hit on August 17, 1985. Carew played for the Minnesota Twins from 1967 to 1978 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.

5. In 2017, Minnesota governor Mark Dayton declared August 17 as "Walter Frederick Mondale Day" in honor of the former U.S. Vice President and Minnesota Senator. Mondale is known for his contributions to civil rights and social justice, as well as his role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.