History of Wisconsin, USA

1820s - Henry Schoolcraft, James Doty, and Lewis Cass explore Wisconsin. U.S. settlers arrive in southwestern region of Wisconsin and begin mining for lead.

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1832 - Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War of 1832 was a brief but significant conflict fought between the United States and Native American tribes led by the Sauk leader Black Hawk. The conflict arose from the disputed settlement of Native American lands in Illinois and Wisconsin. Black Hawk, unhappy with the terms of an 1804 treaty that ceded Sauk territory to the U.S., attempted to resettle his people on their ancestral lands in Illinois in 1832. This move was in defiance of the U.S. government, which led to escalating tensions and ultimately to open conflict.

The war lasted only a few months but was marked by several significant battles, including the Battle of Stillman's Run and the Battle of Bad Axe. The conflict drew widespread attention and became a focal point of national interest, with many Americans viewing it as a heroic struggle against Native American "aggression." The war ended in defeat for Black Hawk and his followers, leading to their surrender and forced removal to Iowa.

1836 - Congress creates the Territory of Wisconsin. President Andrew Jackson appoints Colonel Henry Dodge as governor of the new territory.

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1848 - Wisconsin joins the Union as the thirtieth state. Large-scale German immigration to Wisconsin begins.
In 1848, Wisconsin achieved a significant milestone by becoming the thirtieth state to join the Union. This event marked a culmination of years of territorial development and political negotiation, solidifying Wisconsin's place within the United States. The state's admission was not only a legal and administrative change but also a cultural and demographic shift, particularly notable for the influx of German immigrants that began around the same time.

The mid-19th century saw a wave of German immigrants settling in Wisconsin, drawn by opportunities in agriculture, industry, and a familiar cultural environment. These immigrants played a pivotal role in shaping Wisconsin's social fabric and economic landscape. Their contributions spanned from establishing farms and businesses to enriching local culture with traditions, language, and institutions that left a lasting imprint on the state's identity.
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1854 - Wisconsin
Wisconsin, one of the recently settled states of the American confederacy, is bound ed on the N. by Minnesota, Lake Superior, and the northern peninsula of Michigan, (from which it is separated in part by the Mennemonee and Montreal rivers,) on the E. by Lake Michigan, S. by Illinois, and W. by Iowa and Minnesota Territory, from the former of which it is separated by the Mississippi, and from the latter (in part) by the St. Croix river. It lies between 42° 30' and 46° 55' N. lat., (if we exclude some small islands belonging to the state in Lake Superior,) and between 87° and 92° 50* W. Lon., being about 286 miles in extreme length from N. to S.. and about 255 in its greatest breadth from E. to W., including an area of about 63,924 square miles, or 34,511,860 acres, of which 1,045,499 were improved in 1850...
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1854 - February 28 – The Republican Party (United States) is founded in Ripon, Wisconsin.
On February 28, 1854, in Ripon, Wisconsin, a pivotal event in American political history unfolded with the founding of the Republican Party. Emerging in response to the intensifying national debate over the expansion of slavery into new U.S. territories, the party's formation marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape. The catalyst for its creation was the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which proposed popular sovereignty (allowing residents of territories to decide on slavery) and effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

In Ripon, a group of anti-slavery activists and former Whigs gathered at a local schoolhouse to establish a new political entity dedicated to preventing the spread of slavery into western territories. This fledgling party quickly gained traction, attracting diverse supporters including abolitionists, Free Soilers, and disillusioned Democrats. Within just a few years, the Republican Party would grow in influence, rallying behind the... Read MORE...

1865 - 96,000 Wisconsin soldiers serve in Civil War, and 12,216 of them die in the conflict.

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1871 - The Peshtigo fire results in more than a thousand deaths.
The Peshtigo fire of 1871 stands as one of the most devastating wildfires in American history, yet it remains relatively unknown compared to the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on the same day. Originating in northeastern Wisconsin on October 8, 1871, the fire spread rapidly due to dry conditions and strong winds. It quickly engulfed the town of Peshtigo and surrounding areas, consuming approximately 1.5 million acres of land, including vast swaths of forests and several other small communities.

The exact death toll from the Peshtigo fire is difficult to determine, but estimates suggest that it claimed the lives of more than a thousand people, making it one of the deadliest wildfires in recorded history. The fire's intensity and speed caught many residents off guard, leaving them with little time to escape.
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1899 - The lumber boom peaks in northern Wisconsin, with 3.4 billion board feet harvested in one year.

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1899 - June 12 – New Richmond Tornado completely destroys the town of New Richmond, Wisconsin, killing 117 and injuring more than 200.
On June 12, 1899, the town of New Richmond, Wisconsin, was devastated by one of the deadliest tornadoes in American history. The New Richmond Tornado struck with little warning, completely leveling the town and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The tornado's powerful winds tore through buildings, uprooted trees, and tossed debris, causing widespread devastation.

The aftermath of the tornado was grim, with 117 people losing their lives and over 200 others sustaining injuries. The town's infrastructure was severely damaged, and many residents were left homeless.
June 12, 1899

1901 - The Wisconsin legislature organized the first county agricultural high schools.
In 1901, the Wisconsin legislature took a significant step in education by establishing the first county agricultural high schools in the state. These schools were innovative for their time, offering a specialized curriculum that integrated agricultural studies with traditional academic subjects. The goal was to provide young people with practical skills in agriculture while also ensuring they received a well-rounded education.

The establishment of these schools marked a shift in education towards a more practical and vocational approach, reflecting the importance of agriculture in Wisconsin's economy. This move was part of a broader trend in the early 20th century towards agricultural education, as policymakers recognized the need to modernize farming practices and improve the livelihoods of rural communities.
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1915-1920 - Carrie Chapman Catt, born in 1859 in Ripon, leads the national movement to gain women the right to vote. After the passage of the nineteenth amendment in 1920, she founds and serves as the first president of the League of Women Voters.

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1917 - Large numbers of African Americans from the rural South begin moving to Wisconsin communities, including Racine, Beloit and Milwaukee.
The U.S. enters World War I. Wisconsin becomes first state to meet draft requirements; 120,000 soldiers serve in the military, and almost 4,000 die in the war.

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1918 - Wisconsin established the first statewide numbering system to direct highway traffic, using odd numbers for state trunk highways running north-south and even numbers for those going east-west.

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1921 - Wisconsin passed the first law eliminating all legal discrimination against women.

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1932 - Wisconsin enacts first unemployment-compensation law in the nation.

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1933 - Wisconsin became the first state to prohibit the use of race or national origin as factors in hiring teachers.

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1965 - Wisconsin became the first state to ban hiring discrimination based on disabilities.

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1970 - Wisconsin became the first state to prohibit the sale and distribution of DDT, a powerful pesticide also toxic to fish, mammals, and birds.

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1970 - April 22 - The First Earth Day
Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin was disturbed that an issue as important as our environment was not addressed in politics or by the media, so he created the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970. An estimated 20 million people nationwide attended festivities that day. It was a truly astonishing grassroots explosion, leading eventually to national legislation such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.
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April 22, 1970

1982 - Wisconsin became the first state to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public places of accommodation or amusement on the basis of sexual orientation.

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2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Wisconsin:
Visit Milwaukee: Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest city and offers a vibrant urban experience. Explore the Milwaukee Art Museum, take a brewery tour (it's known as the "Brew City" for a reason), and enjoy the scenic Milwaukee Riverwalk.

Tour the Harley-Davidson Museum: Harley-Davidson is an iconic American brand, and their museum in Milwaukee is a must-visit for motorcycle enthusiasts. Learn about the history of these legendary bikes and see some incredible vintage models.

Milwaukee County Zoo: If you're traveling with family, the Milwaukee County Zoo is a great place to spend a day. It's home to a wide variety of animals and offers educational programs for kids.

Door County: Known as the "Cape Cod of the Midwest," Door County is a picturesque peninsula jutting out into Lake Michigan. Enjoy charming small towns, beautiful shoreline, and outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and cherry picking.

Wisconsin Dells: This waterpark capital of the world is perfect for families... Read MORE...