Odd Wisconsin
Longfellow on Madison
One of America's best poets wrote one of his worst poems about our capital. In 1876, a centennial exhibition was organized in Philadelphia to celebrate the nation's first century. The participation...
Snowplow Driver Appreciation Day
Gov. Doyle has proclaimed Wednesday of this week, "Snowplow Driver Appreciation Day." After last winter, we think they might deserve an entire appreciation week. Which raises the question, how did ...
Kristallnacht in Wisconsin
This weekend marks the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a night on which hundreds of German synagogues were burned, thousands of Jewish-owned businesses destroyed, and 25,000 to 30,000 innocent p...
Wis. Governor Spoke with Ghosts
After serving as U.S. senator from New York, attorney Nathaniel Tallmadge (1795-1864) was appointed governor of Wisconsin Territory in 1844. He served less than a year, though, losing the office wh...
Wisconsin's First Election
During the last week of October 1836, Wisconsin's first elected officials took office. By today's standards, the state's first elections were informal. Voters and candidates generally knew one anot...