Pilgrim Baptist Church, 732 West Central Avenue, St. Paul. Photo by William Wesen, March 11, 2012.

Lena Olive Smith, ca. 1920s.

Minneapolis native Prince Rogers Nelson became mega-musical-star Prince. Along the way, he created the Minneapolis Sound and won Grammys and an Oscar for his semi-autobiographical album and film Purple Rain. He also wrote, performed, and produced numerous hit records. In 2010, he received BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award. MN90 producer Marisa Helms tells us that despite his success, Prince remained rooted in Minneapolis, and became one of the state’s cultural icons.

Members of the 6888th Battalion, assisted by French civilians, sort mail at the 17th Base Post Office in Paris. Photograph by Crabtree, November 7, 1945. NAID 175539203, local ID 111-SC-426441.

Unsorted mail stored in a warehouse in France, ca. 1945. The women of the 4888th Battalion worked with similar backlogs of mail. Local Identifier 111-SC-197654.

2nd Lieutenant Freda le Beau, post exchange officer, serves a Coca Cola to Major Charity Adams at the opening of the 6888th battalion's new snack bar in Rouen, France. Photograph by T5/Klosterman, July 1, 1945. NAID: 175539159, Local ID: 111-SC-209179.

The 6888th Battalion stand at attention during a ceremony held on Joan of Arc Day in Rouen, France, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Photograph by Pfc. Stedman, May 27, 1945.

The 6888th Battalion on parade in Rouen, France, in the square in which Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Photograph by Pfc. Stedman, May 27, 1945. NAID 175539237, local ID: 111-SC-426441.

Members of the 6888th Battalion eat from mess kits at their Women’s Army Corps (WAC) quarters in England. Pictured are Tec. 5 Mary E. Walker; Private Erman Trude Finch; Corporal Callie K. Smith; Tec. 4 Evelyn Martin; Private Virginia Blake; and Private Gladys S. Carte. Photograph by Pfc. George Holt, February 15, 1945. NAID 175539135, local ID 111-SC-200790.

Major Charity E. Adams (right) and Captain Mary Kearney (left) inspect the 6888th Battalion in England on February 15, 1945. NAID: 531249, local ID: 111-SC-200791.