06/27/2026
Did you know Minnesota's greatest contribution to our nation's history happened on a battlefield in Pennsylvania? 🎖️
In the heat of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, the survival of the Union hung in the balance. President Lincoln ordered the 1st Regiment to charge a superior Confederate force—a move that was essentially a losing mission, but necessary to buy time for reinforcements.
The cost was staggering: the regiment suffered the highest loss of any Union regiment in a single day of the war. Their sacrifice, however, prevented a total collapse of the Union line and is widely credited as a turning point in the battle.
As we look toward the nation's 250th anniversary, we remember the bravery of these men who defined Minnesota's unwavering commitment to the United States during its most fragile moment.