Circus World Museum Opens
This week in Wisconsin history, the Circus World Museum opened in Baraboo on July 1, 1959. Located on the 33-acre site that used to be the winter quarters for the…
US Air Force reports on Roswell
On this day in US history, Air Force officials released an over 230-page report dismissing the claims of an alien spaceship crash in Roswell, New Mexico, on June 24, 1997.…
Title IX is enacted
On this day in US history, Title XI of the Education Amendments was officially enacted into law on June 23, 1972. Title IX was put in place to prohibit federally…
The Great Marshfield Fire of 1887
This week in Wisconsin history, a fatal spark from the Central Wisconsin Railway traincar firebox nearly burned down the booming Marshfield town on June 27, 1887. The day’s windy conditions…
FDR signs G.I. Bill
On this day in US history, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the G.I. Bill, an unheard-of act of legislation designed to compensate members of the armed services for their efforts…
First Roller Coaster in America Opens
On this day in US history, the first roller coaster to ever open in the country was built at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York, on June 16, 1884. Known…
First Large Group of German Immigrant Arrive in Milwaukee
This week in Wisconsin history, nearly 800 German immigrants arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 15, 1839. By the 1850s, the German population reached 38,000 and would jump to 184,000…
Congress Votes George Washington as Leader of Continental Army
On this day in US history, the Continental Congress voted to appoint George Washington to command the colonies’ first official army on June 15, 1775. He had been managing his…
Scientists Discover Oldest Artwork Known in Americas
On this day in US history, scientists published what is believed to be the oldest known artwork in the Americas on June 12, 2011. An engraving was discovered on a…
NFL and AFL announce merger
On this day in US history, the rival football leagues, the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL), announced their plans to merge on June 8, 1966.…
The Circus Day Tornado
This week in Wisconsin history, the 9th deadliest tornado in US history, and the most dangerous to ever occur in Wisconsin, touched down on June 12, 1899. Known as the…
The Madison Free Library Opens
This week in Wisconsin history, the second public library in the state opened in Madison on May 31, 1875. Known as the Madison Free Library, it inherited much of its…