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Reconciliation On 150th Anniversary Of U.S.-Dakota War

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Minnesota's flags are flying at half-staff this Friday by order of Gov. Mark Dayton, part of Remembrance and Reconciliation Day marking the U.S.-Dakota War 150 years ago.

Hundreds of settlers were killed in the six-week war and 38 Dakota men were hanged in Mankato as a result.

The Minnesota History Center has compiled a special exhibit on the state's darkest chapter, and director Kate Roberts says there's a lot of interest.

The history center had its biggest July attendance ever.

"Probably the main thing that we hear people say is 'I didn't know. Why didn't I learn this in history class? In grade school? In high school? In college? Why wasn't this covered?'" said Roberts.

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Dayton's proclamation also repudiates the call in 1862 by Minnesota's first governor, Alexander Ramsey, for the "extermination" of the Sioux Indians.

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