Wisconsin is accepted into the Union
This week in Wisconsin history, President James Polk signed the bill accepting Wisconsin’s constitution, admitting Wisconsin into the Union on May 29, 1848. As the population in the state rose…
Constitutional Convention Begins
On this day in US history, 55 state delegates convened in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, to compose a new constitution, four years after the US won its independence from…
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis Receive Patent for Blue Jeans
On this day in US history, businessman Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis were given a patent to create work pants with metal rivets, also known as blue jeans, on…
Marilyn Monroe Sings Happy Birthday to President JFK
On this day in US history, Marilyn Monroe sang a breathy “Happy Birthday to then-President John F. Kennedy on May 19, 1962. The two had an alleged affair that has…
Mount St. Helens Erupts in Washington
On this day in US history, Mount St. Helens, a volcanic peak in Southwest Washington, erupted, killing over 50 people and destroying hundreds of miles of wilderness on May 18,…
Ringling Brothers Perform First Circus Show
This week in Wisconsin history, the Ringling Brothers gave their first circus show performance in Baraboo, Wisconsin, on May 19, 1884. Six years later, the brothers, Al, Otto, Alf T.,…
Lewis and Clark depart to explore the Northwest
On this day in US history, the Lewis and Clark expedition departs from St. Louis, Missouri, to begin their mission to explore the Northwest region from the Mississippi River to…
Kidnapped Lindbergh baby found dead
On this day in US history, two months after the kidnapping of the famed aviation hero Charles Lindbergh’s 20-month-old son from the family’s Hopewell, New Jersey, mansion on May 12,…
Dust storm sweeps from Great Plains and outer states
On this day in US history, a massive dust storm sent millions of tons of topsoil flying across the Great Plains and as far east as New York on May…
Joseph Schlitz was born
This week in Wisconsin history, well-known Milwaukee brewer Joseph Schlitz was born in Mainz, Germany, on May 15, 1831. He immigrated to Milwaukee in 1855 before working at a brewery…