Armistice Day Blizzard Revisited
In an earlier time Veteran’s Day was known as Armistice Day. And on November 11, each year the holiday commemorated the service from veterans and peace marking the end of World War One. For a generation of Minnesotans, the day also sparks memories of one of the worst snowstorms to ever hit Minnesota: The Armistice Day Blizzard. Snow began to fall on November 11, and continues into the next day. In total, 27 inches fell. Winds blew up to 80 miles per hour. In some areas of the state 20 foot snow drifts were records. The snow impeded transportation and threatened lives. In one report, two locomotives collided in the blowing and blinding snow. In total, throughout the upper Midwest, 145 people died in the snowstorm. Locally, in Sherburne County, the memories are fresh. In the memoirs of Virginia Johnson, she recalls the challenges of getting home from school during the storm. She wrote, “Two fathers bro...