Today In History
5 Fun Facts About December 27 In Wisconsin History
1. In 1836, Wisconsin became a territory of the United States. This paved the way for statehood nine years later in 1848. 2. On December 27, 1860, the first shipbuilding company in Wisconsin was established in Milwaukee. The company, called the Milwaukee Shipyard, played an important role in the development...
5 Fun Facts About December 25 In Wisconsin History
1. Wisconsin became a state on December 29, 1848, just a few days after Christmas. The Wisconsin Territory had voted in favor of statehood earlier that year, but it took several months for Congress to pass the necessary legislation and for President James K. Polk to sign it into law....
5 Fun Facts About December 24 In Wisconsin History
1. On December 24, 1865, the Kewaunee Enterprise, a weekly newspaper in eastern Wisconsin, reported on the gift-giving traditions of the local German community. The paper noted that German families exchanged presents on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day as was common in other cultures at the time. 2. In...
5 Fun Facts About December 23 In Wisconsin History
1) On December 23, 1847, the first Catholic church in Milwaukee was dedicated. The building, known as St. John's Cathedral, was constructed in just four months and served as the home of Milwaukee's Catholic community for over 50 years. 2) Wisconsin became the 30th state in the United States on...
5 Fun Facts About December 22 In Wisconsin History
1. On December 22, 1837, the Wisconsin Territory was officially established by an act of Congress. This paved the way for Wisconsin to eventually become the 30th state in the Union in 1848. 2. Wisconsin native Matthew Henson, who accompanied Robert Peary on his expeditions to the North Pole, was...
5 Fun Facts About December 21 In Wisconsin History
1. On December 21, 1843, the Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad, now known as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, was incorporated in Wisconsin. This railroad played an instrumental role in the development of Wisconsin's infrastructure and economy. 2. In 1863, on December 21, Wisconsin's Civil War Governor, Edward...
5 Fun Facts About December 20 In Wisconsin History
1. In 1823, the United States government opened land for settlement in what is now Waukesha County. This led to the establishment of towns like Brookfield and Pewaukee. 2. December 20, 1832 saw the first boatload of lead ore from the lead mines of southwest Wisconsin shipped down the Mississippi...
5 Fun Facts About December 19 In Wisconsin History
1. On December 19, 1836, the first session of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature was held in Belmont, which was then the capital of the Wisconsin Territory. The session saw the adoption of the first laws governing the territory, including the creation of the University of Wisconsin. 2. On December 19,...
5 Fun Facts About December 18 In Wisconsin History
1. Wisconsin became a state: On December 18th, 1848, Wisconsin officially became the 30th state to join the Union. Prior to statehood, the Wisconsin Territory had been established in 1836 and included all of modern-day Wisconsin, as well as parts of Minnesota and Michigan. 2. The first Wisconsin state capitol...
5 Fun Facts About December 17 In Wisconsin History
1. On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers successfully flew their Wright Flyer for the first time in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. While this event did not occur in Wisconsin, the state played an important role in the Wright Brothers' aviation efforts. Between 1911 and 1916, the Wright Company operated...
5 Fun Facts About December 16 In Wisconsin History
1. On December 16, 1825, the first permanent white settlers arrived in what is now known as Green Bay, Wisconsin. Jean Nicolet and his family established what would become one of the state's largest cities, marking the beginning of Wisconsin's rich history. 2. The infamous Wisconsin rock band, the Violent...
5 Fun Facts About December 15 In Wisconsin History
1. On December 15, 1817, Wisconsin became a part of the Michigan Territory. This marked the beginning of Wisconsin's territorial period, which lasted until statehood in 1848. 2. On December 15, 1862, the Battle of Prairie Grove took place in Arkansas during the Civil War. Many Wisconsin soldiers fought in...