Twin Cities Minnesota Local Attractions

Unlocking a fascinating world perhaps otherwise only seen in nature documentaries or on an African safari, today’s zoos are losing a tarnished reputation of cruelty and are instead heralded as environmental blessings. The world’s greatest zoos are committed to the conservation of wildlife and its natural environment and are making a positive impact on the survival of threatened species in the wild.

The 5th of May—or in Spanish, el Cinco de Mayo—in many United States cities means one thing: fiesta time. Mariachi music winds through streets as sombrero-clad Mexican men play guitars and women click their castanets and dance folkloric-style along parade routes in large hooped dresses. Boulevards and squares are festooned with red, white and green, and street vendors and restaurants offer up tamales and empañadas washed down with cold cervezas and tequila.

Every summer the United States comes together as a nation to celebrate its favorite holiday--its birthday. The fourth of July marks the date when America gained its independence from the British and signed the Declaration of Independence.

In the not too distant past, perhaps a mere 150 to 200 years ago, most people earned a living on the farm, or in industries stemming from agriculture. While in today's rat-race society the rural lifestyle may seem simple and old-fashioned, the fruits of farming still account for a big piece of each state's economic pie, and the country's string of exuberant state fairs acknowledges, promotes and celebrates that.

The origins of American Thanksgiving date back to the early 17th century, when the pilgrims of Plymouth celebrated a successful harvest through feasting and religious observance. While many of those traditions have remained over the centuries, including the ubiquitous trimmed-turkey dinner and family gatherings, Thanksgiving in the United States has evolved to embrace many new and imaginative customs. Numerous festivities occur across the country but a few distinct celebrations stand out...