1. The Minnesota State Fair officially opened on September 15, 1869, with an attendance of over 20,000 people. The State Fair has since become a beloved annual tradition for Minnesotans, drawing in well over a million visitors each year.

2. On September 15, 1916, a tornado touched down in Tyler, Minnesota, killing nine people and injuring many others. The F4 tornado, which had winds of up to 260 mph, was one of the deadliest in Minnesota's history.

3. In 1965, the first Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award was presented on September 15. The award, named after the Minnesota author of the Betsy-Tacy book series, is given annually to an outstanding children's book that captures the spirit of childhood in a way that is both timeless and relevant.

4. On September 15, 1978, the iconic Pillsbury Center in downtown Minneapolis opened its doors. The 775-foot-tall skyscraper was the tallest building in Minneapolis until the IDS Center was completed in 1972.

5. The Mississippi River Parkway Commission was officially formed on September 15, 1938, with the goal of promoting tourism and preservation of the Mississippi River. Today, the commission works to promote the Great River Road, a scenic byway that runs for over 3,000 miles along the Mississippi River from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.