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Wisconsin’s
History
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The
French explorer Jean Nicolet visited Wisconsin in 1634 arriving
at what is now Green Bay. He was in the search of fur pelts and
the Northwest Passage. The Wisconsin Territory was created from
the old Northwest Territory on July 3, 1836. Henry Dodge became
its first governor. Current day Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and part
of the Dakotas made up the Wisconsin Territory. Belmont was selected
as the first Capital of the Wisconsin Territory. Madison was chosen
as the permanent capital at the first legislator meeting in October
1836. On May 29, 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th state in
the Union. Nelson Dewey was Wisconsin's first governor, a Democrat.
He served two terms, from 1848 to 1852.
For more Wisconsin History and Wisconsin Historical Web sites,
visit wisconsin.com
History page .
Wisconsin - What's in a Name - According to most sources, Wisconsin
means: "Gathering of the waters" and is derived from the
Ojibwe language. Wisconsin's nickname is "The Badger State".
Early 19th-century history provides two explanations for Wisconsin's
nickname. One is the early 19th-century lead miners in Southwestern
Wisconsin were known as "badgers" because of the way they
burrowed into the ground mining the lead. Another explanation is
the lead miners
were just too busy digging to build houses, so they would move into
abandoned mine shafts for shelter. Residents are called: Wisconsinite.
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