History of Wisconsin in Timeline
Wisconsin, a state in the U.S. Upper Midwest bordering the Great Lakes, has a population of approximately 6 million and ranks as the 20th-largest state by population and 23rd by area. It is bordered by Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Lake Michigan, Michigan, and Lake Superior. The state capital is Madison, while Milwaukee is the most populous city. Other notable urban areas include Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, and Eau Claire. Wisconsin consists of 72 counties.
1900: Immigration Wave
Between 1850 and 1900, the immigrants were mostly Germans, Scandinavians (the largest group being Norwegian), Irish, and Poles.
1901: Progressive Reforms Initiated
In 1901, Progressive Republicans in Wisconsin initiated the nation's first comprehensive statewide primary election system.
1903: Milwaukee Mile opens
In 1903, the Milwaukee Mile, an oval track, opened as the oldest operating motorsports venue in the world.
1910: Wisconsin Ranked 8th in Total Product Value
By 1910, Wisconsin ranked 8th among U.S. states in total product value, driven by manufacturing and immigration.
1910: Emil Seidel elected mayor of Milwaukee
In 1910, Emil Seidel was elected mayor of Milwaukee, becoming the first socialist mayor of a large city in the United States.
1914: Progressive Reforms Continued
By 1914, Progressive Republicans in Wisconsin had created the nation's first effective workplace injury compensation law, and the first state income tax.
1921: Packers join NFL
In 1921, the Green Bay Packers joined the National Football League (NFL) during the league's second season.
1926: United States Numbered Highways
In 1926, the designation of United States Numbered Highways began in the state of Wisconsin.
1927: Races held at Kenosha velodrome
Since 1927, races have been held every year at the nation's oldest operating velodrome in Kenosha.
1932: First Unemployment Compensation Program
In 1932, UW economics professors helped Wisconsin create the first unemployment compensation program in the United States.
1934: Border Dispute Settled, Wisconsin v. Michigan
In 1934, the border dispute with Michigan was settled in the case Wisconsin v. Michigan.
1935: New Deal's Social Security Act Plan
In 1935, Wisconsin Idea scholars at the University generated the plan that became the New Deal's Social Security Act, with Wisconsin expert Arthur J. Altmeyer playing a key role.
1935: Border Dispute Settled, Wisconsin v. Michigan
In 1935, the border dispute with Michigan was settled in the case Wisconsin v. Michigan.
July 13, 1936: Record High Temperature
On July 13, 1936, the highest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin was reached in the Wisconsin Dells, at 114 °F (46 °C).
1940: African Americans came to Milwaukee
African Americans came to Milwaukee, especially from 1940 on.
1940: "America's Dairyland" Slogan
In 1940, "America's Dairyland" was made the official state slogan.
1945: Balance between parties maintained
Since 1945, Wisconsin has maintained a close balance between Republicans and Democrats in its politics.
1949: Shift in Public Opinion
In 1949, the success of the Chinese Communist Revolution caused public opinion to move towards support for the protection of democracy and capitalism against Communist expansion.
1953: Braves Move to Milwaukee
In 1953, the Atlanta Braves franchise moved from Boston to Milwaukee
1956: Interstate Highway system construction
In 1956, construction began on Wisconsin's Interstate Highway system.
1957: Braves Win World Series
In 1957, the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series
1957: Badger becomes state animal
In 1957, the badger was named Wisconsin's state animal.
1965: Braves Leave Milwaukee
In 1965, the Atlanta Braves franchise left Milwaukee
August 1970: Sterling Hall Bombing
In August 1970, radical antiwar protests at UW-Madison culminated in the Sterling Hall bombing.
1970: Manufacturing Jobs
As of 2015, the number of manufacturing jobs in the state was approximately 500,000, similar to the figure in 1970.
1982: Last Democratic win of statewide offices before 2018
Prior to the Democratic win of all constitutional statewide offices in 2018, the last time this happened in Wisconsin was in 1982.
1984: Last Republican presidential nominee win before 2016
Prior to Donald Trump's win in 2016, the last time Wisconsin voted for a Republican presidential nominee was in 1984.
1992: Start of blue wall
In 1992, Wisconsin was part of the blue wall, a group of states the Democratic Party won in each presidential election.
1996: Record Low Temperature
In 1996, Wisconsin's lowest temperature was recorded on February 2 and 4 in Couderay, reaching -55 °F (-48 °C).
2000: Manufacturing Decline
Between 2000 and 2016 manufacturing declined as a share of the state's gross state product from about 21.5% to 18.5%.
2001: Brewers at American Family Field
Since 2001, the Milwaukee Brewers have played at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
2003: DUI offenses lowered to BAC 0.08
In 2003, DUI (driving under the influence) offenses in Wisconsin were lowered to a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 as a result of federal government pressure.
2004: PGA Championship at Whistling Straits
In 2004, Whistling Straits golf club in Sheboygan hosted a PGA Championship.
January 1, 2008: Estate tax decoupled from federal laws
Until January 1, 2008, Wisconsin's estate tax was decoupled from the federal estate tax laws, leading the state to impose its own estate tax on certain large estates.
2008: Deer population projection
In 2008, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources projected the pre-hunt deer population to be between 1.5 and 1.7 million.
2008: Economic Output
The state's economic output from manufacturing was $48.9 billion in 2008, making it the tenth largest among states in manufacturing gross domestic product.
2009: Minimum Wage
Since 2009, Wisconsin's minimum wage has been $7.25, the same as the federal rate.
2009: Crime Statistics
Statewide FBI Crime statistics for 2009 include 144 murders/non-negligent manslaughter; 1,108 rapes; 4,850 robberies; 8,431 aggravated assaults; and 147,486 property crimes.
2010: PGA Championship at Whistling Straits
In 2010, Whistling Straits golf club in Sheboygan hosted a PGA Championship.
2011: Cities with a Population of 50,000 or More
As of 2011, there were 12 cities in Wisconsin with a population of 50,000 or more, accounting for 73% of the state's employment.
2011: Wisconsin Act 10 Passed
In 2011, Wisconsin Act 10 was passed, making significant changes to collective bargaining and benefits for public sector employees, leading to protests.
2011: Possible Democratic Backsliding
Some have argued the state has experienced democratic backsliding since 2011.
2012: Paul Ryan as VP candidate
In 2012, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney chose Congressman Paul Ryan, a Janesville native, as his running mate against incumbent President Barack Obama.
2012: End of blue wall
In 2012, Wisconsin was part of the blue wall, a group of states the Democratic Party won in each presidential election.
2013: Kringle becomes state pastry
In 2013, kringle, a sweet flaky pastry brought by Danish immigrants, became the official state pastry of Wisconsin.
2014: Republicans hold statewide offices
Following the 2014 general elections, the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and treasurer of Wisconsin were all Republicans.
March 30, 2015: WIAC claims 107th NCAA Championship
As of March 30, 2015, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference claimed 107 NCAA national championships in 15 different sports.
2015: Manufacturing Jobs
As of 2015, the number of manufacturing jobs in the state was approximately 500,000, similar to the figure in 1970.
2015: Renewable energy mandate met
By the end of 2015, Wisconsin met its mandate to source ten percent of its electrical energy from renewable sources.
2015: PGA Championship at Whistling Straits
In 2015, Whistling Straits golf club in Sheboygan hosted a PGA Championship.
2015: Addition of I-41 to system
In 2015, the most recent expansion of Wisconsin's Interstate Highway system took place with the addition of I-41.
July 1, 2016: Mexican consulate opens in Milwaukee
On July 1, 2016, a Mexican consulate opened in Milwaukee.
2016: Manufacturing Decline
Between 2000 and 2016 manufacturing declined as a share of the state's gross state product from about 21.5% to 18.5%.
2016: Trump wins Wisconsin
In 2016, Donald Trump won Wisconsin by a narrow margin of 0.77%, the first time the state voted for a Republican presidential nominee since 1984.
2017: U.S. Open at Erin Hills
In 2017, Erin Hills, a golf course in Erin, Wisconsin, hosted the U.S. Open.
2018: Democrats win all statewide offices
In 2018, Democrats won all constitutional statewide offices on the ballot in Wisconsin, the first time this happened since 1982.
2018: The Hop begins service
In 2018, The Hop, a modern streetcar system in Milwaukee, began service.
January 7, 2019: Tony Evers assumes office
On January 7, 2019, Tony Evers assumed office as the Governor of Wisconsin.
July 1, 2019: Population of Wisconsin Estimated
On July 1, 2019, the United States Census Bureau estimated that the population of Wisconsin was 5,822,434.
2020: Congressional reapportionment
Following the 2020 census reapportionment, Wisconsin has eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
2020: Biden wins Wisconsin
In 2020, Democrat Joe Biden won Wisconsin by a narrow margin of 0.63%.
2020: Wisconsin's Gross Domestic Product
In 2020, Wisconsin's gross domestic product was $348 billion.
2020: Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits
In 2020, the Ryder Cup golf competition between the USA and Europe was held at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan.
2020: Voting Easiest State Ranking
In a 2020 study, Wisconsin was ranked as the 25th easiest state for citizens to vote in.
2020: Largest Denomination
Per the Association of Religion Data Archives' 2020 study, Catholicism was the single-largest denomination with 1,237,342 adherents.
2021: Tourism Economic Impact
According to the Department of Tourism, tourism in Wisconsin generated $20.9 billion in total economic impact in 2021 and is the state's third-largest sector.
2021: Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary established
In 2021, the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary was established in Lake Michigan off the coast of Wisconsin to protect historically significant shipwrecks.
2022: Homeless Population
According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 4,775 homeless people in Wisconsin.
2022: Religion in Wisconsin
According to Public Religion Research Institute's 2022 American Values Survey, those identifying with a religion or spiritual tradition were approximately 75% of the state's population.
2022: Per Capita Personal Income
In 2022 the per capita personal income was $61,475 and was $66,596 when adjusted by regional price parity.
2022: Largest European Ancestry Groups
In 2022, the five largest European ancestry groups were German (36%), Irish (10.2%), Polish (7.9%), English (6.7%), and Norwegian (6.3%).
2023: Gross State Product
In 2023, Wisconsin's gross state product was $413.966 billion, making it 21st among U.S. states.
2023: Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns gerrymander
In the 2023 ruling of Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the legislative gerrymander.
2023: University of Wisconsin Branch Campuses Closed
Starting in 2023, five University of Wisconsin branch campuses have closed, raising concerns about the future of the Wisconsin Idea.
2024: Road America hosts racing events
As of 2024, Road America near Elkhart Lake hosts races in several series including the IndyCar Series, IMSA SportsCar Championship, and MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.
2024: Fortune 500 Companies
In 2024, eight corporations based in Wisconsin are listed on the Fortune 500.
2024: Unemployment Rate
In 2024, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has hovered at 3.0%, lower than the U.S. average.
2024: Trump wins Wisconsin
In the 2024 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump won Wisconsin by 0.58%, the closest margin of any state in that election.
