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  #    Entered Union  Year Settled 30th      May 29, 1848     1766  Nickname America’s Dairyland  Rank     Population 20th      5,627,967  Rank     Square Miles 23rd      64,498  State Bird  State Flower  State Tree  State Motto Forward In 1634, Frenchman Jean Nicolet became Wisconsin's first European explorer. The French controlled the area until 1763, when it was ceded to the British. The state's name is an English version of a French adaptation of an Indian name said to mean "the place where we live."  The Wisconsin Territory was formed in 1836 and was admitted into the Union as the 30th state in 1848. With the nickname "America's Dairyland," it's no surprise that Wisconsin is one of the top producers of milk, cheese, and butter in the country.  In fact, the loyal fans of the Green Bay Packers football team call themselves "cheeseheads." Milwaukee, the state's largest city, helps make Wisconsin one of the largest manufacturing states in the nation. The state capital, Madison, is home to the University of Wisconsin. The flower of the "Badger State" is the wood violet.  Have you ever heard of a dell?  The Wisconsin Dells are dramatic rock formations found along the Wisconsin River. They were shaped by strong currents of water from melting glaciers. About 500 million years ago, this area was a lot different than it looks today. It used to be covered by shallow seas. For about 80 million years the seas flowed back and forth over the land, leaving sand on the sea bottom. Over time, the sand kept building up until it rose above the seas.  The huge sand formations that rose out of the water are the tall sandstone cliffs you see today in the Wisconsin Dells. These unique cliffs can be found in only three other areas in the world, Switzerland, Germany and parts of New York.  The Wisconsin Dells got their name from the French term "dalles." It means "slab-like rock." Some of the more distinctive rock formations are named for objects they resemble, such as Chimney Rock. During the 1800s, the Dells grew to be a popular tourist attraction in Wisconsin. Visitors still enjoy exploring the area's caves and arches.  Harley-Davidson: "Coming Home" Have you ever seen someone ride a hog? No, not a pig, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle!  In 1903, this little one-room building was the birthplace of the world's most famous motorcycle company -- Harley-Davidson. On its 95th anniversary in 1998, more than 100,000 Harley-Davidson fans gathered in Milwaukee to celebrate.  Many riders took part in five fund-raising rides, which left from Spokane, Washington; Riverside, California; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and York, Pennsylvania. They left on June 3, 1998, and arrived in Milwaukee 10 days later. Along the way they held fundraising events for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.                                                                                                        Harley-Davidson is the premier American-based manufacturer of heavyweight motorcycles. In 1903 the company built only three motorcycles, but 10 years later, it built more than 12,000 a year. In 1995, Harley-Davidson built 105,104 motorcycles. Harley-Davidson motorcycles are also called "hogs." One possible explanation for this dates back to the 1920s when the Harley-Davidson factory had a racing team that brought their mascot with them to every race. Their mascot was a pig. So whenever the Harley-Davidson team came to a race people would say, "Here comes the Harley team and their hogs."  The World's First Hydroelectric Power Plant Began Operation When you look at rushing waterfalls and rivers, you may not immediately think of electricity. But hydroelectric (water-powered) power plants are responsible for lighting many of our homes and neighborhoods.  On September 30, 1882, the world's first hydroelectric power plant began operation on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin. The plant, later named the Appleton Edison Light Company, was initiated by Appleton paper manufacturer H.F. Rogers, who had been inspired by Thomas Edison's plans for an electricity-producing station in New York.  Unlike Edison's New York plant, which used steam power to drive its generators, the Appleton plant used the natural energy of the Fox River. When the plant opened, it produced enough electricity to light Rogers's home, the plant itself, and a nearby building.  Hydroelectric power plants of today generate a lot more electricity. By the early 20th century, these plants produced a significant portion of the country's electric energy. The cheap electricity provided by the plants spurred industrial growth in many regions of the country. To get even more power out of the flowing water, the government started building dams. |
