1. On June 21, 1964, the first post-World War II refugee to return to Vietnam was from Minnesota. Quang X. Pham, a Vietnamese businessman, returned to his home country to help with the reconstruction efforts and was warmly welcomed by the Vietnamese people.

2. In 1987, the Mall of America, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, opened its doors on June 21. At the time, it was the largest mall in the world, and it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.

3. On June 21, 1899, the first automobile fatality in Minnesota occurred when a young man was killed while driving his new car. The accident happened in St. Paul, and the victim was just 20 years old.

4. June 21, 1977, was a historic day for the state of Minnesota, as its Supreme Court declared that the death penalty was unconstitutional. This decision made Minnesota one of the first states to abolish capital punishment.

5. Minnesota can experience severe weather in the summer, and June 21, 2010, was no exception. On this day, a severe thunderstorm produced a tornado that touched down in the town of Wadena. The tornado caused significant damage, but there were no fatalities.