History of FACCMN

FACCMN Milestones

  • 1978  M. Morris Levy registered the Minnesota branch with FACC New York
  • 1984  FACCMN was incorporated with the State of Minnesota

Original FACCMN Board of Directors (1984)

  • Andersen
  • Anderson
  • Blohorn
  • Coughlan
  • Cuddihy, President
  • Gervais
  • Gillet
  • Hayward
  • Levy
  • Pétré
  • Singleland

FACCMN Presidents

  • 1984 - 1985     Cuddihy
  • 1985 - 1987     Edward Hayward
  • 1987 - 1990     Dan Slingeland
  • 1990 - 1993     Alain Frecon
  • 1993 - 1995     Pat Bassett
  • 1995 - 1996
  • 1996 - 1997     Pat Bassett
  • 1997 - 2000     Edward Hayward
  • 2000 - 2002 
  • 2002 - 2003     Paul Bees
  • 2004 - 2005     Richard Korinke
  • 2005 - 2006     Olivier Couture
  • 2006 - 2007
  • 2007 - 2009     Paul Bees
  • 2009 - 2011     Jerome Chateau
  • 2011 - 2012     Beth Parkhill / Herve Sarteau
  • 2012 - 2014     Ameeta Jaiswal
  • 2014 - 2016     Thierry Ajas
  • 2016 - 2017     Louis Wendling
  • 2017 - today   Nancy Christine Allen

 

Minnesota, the Star of the North (L'Etoile du Nord).

L'Étoile du Nord is a French phrase meaning "The Star of the North". It is the motto of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Chosen by the state's first governor, Henry Hastings Sibley, it was adopted in 1861, three years after admission of Minnesota to the union. 

Minnesota Statute 1.135 describes the seal, its historical symbolism and its uses. Until 1974, the Minnesota Constitution required that the seal “shall be attached to all official acts of the governor requiring authentication.”

In 1849, Henry Sibley proposed that a picture created by Seth Eastman be adopted as the official Minnesota territorial seal. This proposal was adopted by the legislature. When Minnesota became a state in 1858, officials continued to use the territorial seal until 1861 when Minnesota Laws 1861, Chapter 43 was passed, creating an official state seal.

The 1861 seal showed a settler plowing a field beside the Mississippi River near St. Anthony Falls. In the background, an Indian on horseback rides toward the setting sun. A banner shows the state motto “L’Etoile du Nord”. In 1983 the seal was redesigned. (Laws of Minnesota 1983, Chapter 119) Norway pines (the state tree) were added behind St. Anthony Falls and the direction of the Indian was changed. He now rides toward the farmer rather than away from him.

Also, because of this motto, one of Minnesota's nicknames is The North Star State. The hockey team, the Minnesota North Stars, chose the English translation for their name.

 

“State Seal,” Roots: Minnesota Almanac 13 (Fall 1984): 21-23. Used with permission.

William Folwell. A History of Minnesota Volume II. (St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press, originally published 1924, reprint 1961), p. 357-361. Used with permission.

Robert M. Brown. “The Great Seal of the State of Minnesota,” Minnesota History 33 (Fall 1952): 126-129. Used with permission.

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