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Star Tribune Announces Series of Events and Celebrations to Commemorate 150th Anniversary
MINNEAPOLIS – May 11, 2017 – Star Tribune Media Co., Minnesota’s largest media company, today announced a series of celebrations and festivities in conjunction with its 150th anniversary later this month. The events take place across the state over the coming months and feature numerous venues for readers, advertisers and fans to join the Star Tribune in marking this milestone.
- Unveiling of Newly Restored Star Tribune Globe – On 11 a.m. on May 25, 150 years to the day after the Minneapolis Morning Tribune published its first edition in 1867, the Star Tribune will formally mark its sesquicentennial with the unveiling of the newly restored Star Tribune Globe. This iconic 6-foot diameter, 300-pound, spun-aluminum masterpiece, hand-painted over the course of 3,000 hours, was commissioned in 1951 and installed in the former Star Tribune Building on Portland Avenue. Feared lost following its removal during a building renovation several decades ago, the Globe was recently rediscovered and painstakingly restored. It will be now be on permanent display in the lobby of the new Star Tribune Building for all to enjoy. Speakers at the dedication will include Star Tribune editor Rene Sanchez, Minnesota Newspaper Association president Lisa Hills and Minneapolis City Council president Barbara Johnson. Johnson will present an official proclamation declaring May 25 “Star Tribune Day” in the city of Minneapolis.
- Display of Rare First Edition – Also on display in the lobby of the Star Tribune Building on May 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: a recently restored first edition of the Minneapolis Daily Tribune dated May 25, 1867. Only two copies of the first edition are known to exist, making this display a rare treat for history buffs, journalists, and fans of Minnesota culture. On May 25 the Star Tribune will also be wrapped with a commemorative reproduction of the front page of that first edition of the Minneapolis Daily Tribune.
- Light The Skyline – On the evening of May 25, the operators and caretakers of several local landmarks are teaming together to “light the skyline” in honor of the Star Tribune’s anniversary. Among the landmarks that will be bathed in Star Tribune’s signature green color from dusk to dawn: Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Corp. headquarters, Capella Tower, the IDS Center, the I-35W bridge, and the Lowry Avenue bridge.
- Public Celebration at the Fulton Taproom – Also on the evening of May 25, the Fulton Taproom is throwing open its doors and welcoming Star Tribune fans for the first public taste of its just-announced EXTRA! EXTRA! American Pale Ale. Beer-lovers can enjoy the commemorative brew that honors the Star Tribune’s anniversary while also sampling great plates from a local food truck and participating in prize giveaways. (The beer will also be available from retailers throughout the region beginning on May 26.)
Other Celebrations and Events Throughout the Summer
- Digital Archives – Earlier this month, Star Tribune announced the launch of its digital archives, making every page of its 150-year publication history available in a single, searchable archive for the first time. The effort was underwritten by exclusive sponsor Thomson Reuters.
- Special Anniversary Sections – The newspaper will publish four special sections spotlighting 150 years of news coverage and featuring reflections from Star Tribune journalists and special content from the archives. On May 21, the paper will include a section that focus on the state’s deep history of innovation. Subsequent sections will highlight Star Tribune coverage of arts and culture (June 18), the seasons (July 16), and sports (August 27). All this content and more will also live in an immersive digital destination launching May 22 at www.startribune.com/150.
- Tours of Printing Facilities – Starting today, the public can tour Star Tribune’s Heritage Center in Minneapolis’s North Loop neighborhood. Led by current and former Star Tribune employees, including several journalists, these tours provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at of one of the country’s busiest and most advanced newspaper printing and distribution facilities. There is no charge for the tour, but spaces are limited and are available only through a first-come, first-served signup at http://shop.startribune.com.
- Star Tribune’s Live Journalism Statewide Tour – On May 16, Star Tribune kicks off its five-city Live Journalism Statewide Tour that underscores the importance of independent journalism and the changing media landscape. First up is Mankato at Minnesota State University—Mankato, in partnership with Mankato Free Press and with guests welcomed by Star Tribune owner Glen Taylor. All Live Journalism events will be moderated by Star Tribune editorial columnist John Rash and feature Star Tribune editors and reporters who will lead conversations with citizens on the current big stories in Minnesota, local issues with statewide impact, and the changing political landscape. Future locations/dates are St. Cloud (June 27), Marshall (July 19), Duluth (Aug. 22) and Rochester (Sept. 12). The tour is underwritten by the Minnesota Lottery, the exclusive tour sponsor.
- Community Events – The Star Tribune’s newly designed Anniversary Truck will be visiting nearly 20 different community festivals, concerts, and parades around the state throughout the summer.
- State Fair – Star Tribune’s anniversary celebration will culminate with a revamped presence at the Minnesota State Fair including a renovated building and increased programming. In addition to selling merchandise, offering great subscription deals, and handing out the always popular Star Tribune State Fair lip balm, Star Tribune journalists will be in conversation with Minnesota newsmakers every day.
“Very few institutions survive and thrive for 150 years,” said Mike Klingensmith, publisher and chief executive officer for Star Tribune. “Fewer still have the lasting impact on civic life that the Star Tribune has had. As proud as we are about a century and a half of great journalism and the opportunity to serve our community and state, these celebrations are really about our readers. Year after year, it’s been our privilege to be there all day, every day with the very best news and information we can possibly deliver. We’re also grateful to our advertisers for the support they give us every step of the way and without whom we wouldn’t be here today. We celebrate this great milestone with tremendous gratitude and tremendous optimism for the future, as well.”
About Star Tribune Media Company
Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2017, Star Tribune Media Co. LLC is a locally owned, award-winning media company serving Minnesota and the upper Midwest. With the fifth-largest Sunday and sixth-largest daily circulation newspaper in the U.S., the most-visited local website, a quarterly magazine, a popular arts/entertainment publication, and a range of home-delivered advertising solutions, Star Tribune reaches more consumers than any other Minnesota media brand.
Note:
Following its origins as the Minneapolis Daily Tribune in 1867 and mergers and acquisitions over the years involving the Minnesota Daily Star, the Minneapolis Journal, and the Minneapolis Times, the Star Tribune emerged with its current name in 1987.
Images available for download at https://goo.gl/zh3t8B:
Front page of Minneapolis Daily Tribune, May 25, 1867 (high- and low-res)
1951 image of Star Tribune globe and publisher John Cowles, Sr. (high- and low-res)
1951 summary of Star Tribune globe facts and figures (high- and low-res)
Extra! Extra! American Pale Ale can design (high- and low-res)
Media contact:
Jennifer Weismann
Owl Marketing
612-716-0556
Jennifer@owl-marketing.com
Steve Yaeger
612-673-4256 (office)
651-357-3036 (mobile)
steve.yaeger@startribune.com