You have died of nostalgia: Celebrating 40 years of The Oregon Trail

Forty years ago, a group of Minnesotans set out to make learning history more engaging — and ended up creating one of the most iconic video games of all time. The Oregon Trail, born right here in Minnesota, taught generations of students about westward expansion while inspiring a lifelong love of adventure (and maybe a fear of dysentery). Now, as the game celebrates its 40th anniversary, Jacob Rorem, Program Specialist with the Minnesota Historical Society, shares the fascinating story behind its creation, its cultural impact, and how this humble classroom project became a pop culture phenomenon that continues to inspire new players today.