Minnesota still possesses a Confederate battle flag that was captured by Union troops during the Battle of Gettysburg. Over the years, Virginia has repeatedly requested its return, but Minnesota has consistently refused. Former Governor Jesse Ventura summed up the state’s position with a blunt response: “Why? I mean, we won.” On July 3, 1863, during the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg, soldiers from Minnesota’s 1st Volunteer Infantry seized the battle flag of Virginia’s 28th Infantry Regiment amid the chaos of Pickett’s Charge. In the Civil War, regimental flags were crucial rallying points on the battlefield, making their capture both a practical and symbolic triumph. The flag was taken back to Minnesota as a war trophy, where it has remained for more than 160 years. Virginia has repeatedly sought the flag’s return, but Minnesota has consistently refused. The most memorable rejection came in 2000 when then-Governor Jesse Ventura was asked about returning it and famously replied, “Why? I mean, we won.” Today, the flag is preserved by the Minnesota Historical Society and remains one of the most famous Civil War artifacts involved in an ongoing interstate dispute, highlighting how the legacy of Gettysburg continues to spark debate more than a century and a half later.

BREAKING: Department of Homeland Security has sent legal requests to Google, Reddit, Meta and Discord seeking the names, email addresses, phone numbers and other identifying information of users who track and criticize ICE.

New York City Officials Reinstate Pride Flag at Stonewall National Monument After Federal Removal