In 1915, the University of Wisconsin's experimental radio station, 9XM (now WHA, the nation's oldest radio station), began transmitting signals.
In 1901, two University of Wisconsin mechanical engineering students, Charles W. Hart and Charles H. Parr, built the first successful gasoline-powered farm tractor.
In 1911, the JI Case Company of Racine produced the first gasoline-powered tractor. Today, this company uses Old Abe on its company logo.
The deadliest fire in the history of the United States happened in Peshtigo on October 8, 1871. No one was sure how it started but when it was over more than 1,000 people had been killed. It was the same day as the famous Chicago fire, but Peshtigo had no telegraph line to let people know about the fire.
The largest Music Festival in the world (Summerfest) is held every summer in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin has had the highest ACT (college entrance exam) scores in the Nation since 1995.
To balance that stat, The Princeton Review and several other publications have ranked The University of Madison the number one "Party School" for many years running.
Per population, Wisconsin has more bars and taverns per square mile than any other place in the world.
In 1986, William Rehnquist became the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He was born in Milwaukee in 1924.
Wisconsin is the leading producer of Ginseng in the U.S.
Green Bay, (home of the Packers) is known as "Titletown USA."
Two Wisconsin communities, Belleville and Elmwood claim to be the UFO Capitol of the World.
The American Birkebeiner, the largest cross-country ski race in the U.S., brings nearly 7,000 competitors to Cable.
The first ice cream sundae was concocted in Two Rivers in 1881.
Each year, the EAA Fly-In brings 12,000 planes to Oshkosh, making it the busiest airport in the world.
It takes an average of 100 hours of fishing to catch a 33.4 inch muskie.
The Ringling Bros were from Baraboo and wintered their world-famous circus there each winter.
Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells is the world's largest water-park with 65 acres of splish-splash fun.
More than 1.5 million deer roam Wisconsin's woods.
Seymour claims to be the birthplace of the hamburger.
Door County has more shoreline than any other county in the U.S.-more than 250 miles.
In 1921, Wisconsin passed the first law eliminating all legal discrimination against women.
The first motion pictures were shown in Milwaukee in 1896.
August 12, 1939: The world premiere of MGM's The Wizard of Oz was held at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. It was shown through September 16, 1939. It should be noted that this is considered the "official" anniversary date for The Wizard of Oz
Wisconsin visitors and residents enjoy the state's 7,446 streams and rivers.
End-to-end they'd stretch 26,767 miles. That is more than enough to circle the globe at the equator.
Wisconsin's Door County has five state parks and 250 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan. These figures represent more than any other county in the country.
In 1878-1879 the Wisconsin legislature approved the creation of a state park in Vilas County. The proposal was not successful and the state ended up selling two-thirds of area land to lumber interest for $8 an acre in 1897.
In 1900 land acquisition for Wisconsin's first state park began. The park became Interstate State Park located in St. Croix Falls.
Devil's Lake was established in 1911. The facility has become one of Wisconsin's oldest and most famous state parks. It leads the state parks in attendance.
The House on the Rock was designed and built in the early 1940s. It is considered an architectural marvel and is perched on a 60-foot chimney of rock. The 14-room house is now a complex of rooms, streets, buildings, and gardens covering over 200 acres. The Infinity Room contains 3,264 windows.
The state is nicknamed the Badger State.
In 1882 the first hydroelectric plant in the United States was built at Fox River.
The first practical typewriter was designed in Milwaukee in 1867.
Wausau is the Ginseng Capital of the World.
The American Birkebeiner, a 52K cross-country ski race between Cable and Hayward, is the largest on the North American continent.
Wisconsin snowmobile trails total 15,210 miles of signed and groomed snow highways.
Mount Horeb is the Troll Capital of the World and home to the Mustard Museum (see below.)
In the 1930s the Flambeau River State Forest was established and became a legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Project Administration.
Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells is the nation's largest water-themed park.
Belleville is the Unidentified Flying Object Capital of Wisconsin.
Potosi is the Catfish Capital of the state.
The nation's first kindergarten was established in Watertown in 1856. Its first students were local German-speaking youngsters.
Wisconsin is the dairy capital of the United States.
Wisconsin produces more milk than any other state.
Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Richland Center on June 8, 1867
The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward is shaped like a Muskie.
The original Barbie is from Willows. Barbie's full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts.
Bloomer is the Jump Rope Capital of the World.
Milwaukee is home of Harley Davidson Motorcycles.
The first Ringling Brothers Circus was staged in Baraboo in 1884.
Somerset is the Inner Tubing Capital of the World.
Green Bay is Wisconsin's oldest city.
Two Rivers is the home of the ice cream sundae.
Wisconsin's second oldest city is Prairie du Chien.
The state's constitution is the oldest of any state west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was adopted in 1848.
Boscobel is the Turkey Capital of the state.
The Republican Party was founded in Ripon in 1854.
The Hamburger hall of fame is located in Seymour.
Monroe is the Swiss Cheese Capital of the World.
Mercer is the Loon Capital of the World.
With an average of 2,500 performers, Milwaukee's Summerfest is the nation's largest music festival.
Mount Horeb's internationally known Mustard Museum holds the world's largest mustard collection. The museum contains more than 2,300 varieties of mustard. The museum celebrates National Mustard Day each August.
The National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame is in Hayward.
Eagle River is known as the Snowmobile Capital of the World.
Marshfield is located in the geographic center of the state and is known Hub City.
Bonduel is the Spelling Capital of Wisconsin.
Muscoda is the Morel Mushroom Capital of Wisconsin.
Sauk City is Wisconsin's oldest incorporated village.
Prairie du Sac hosts the State Cow Chip Throwing Contest on Labor Day weekend.
Sturgeon Bay is the Shipbuilding Capital of the Great Lakes.
Sheboygan is the Bratwurst Capital of the World.
The falls in Niagara has the same geological feature as Niagara Falls, New York.
Green Bay is the Toilet Paper Capital of the World.
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