Happy 168th birthday Wisconsin! Badger State was founded on May 29th, 1848
MILWAUKEE -- The state of Wisconsin turns 168 years old on Sunday, May 29th, 2016!
The state of Wisconsin was founded on May 29th, 1848.
Wisconsin was first inhabited by varied Indian tribes in the 17th century.
Jean Nicolet, a native of France, was the first explorer to reach the area while searching for the Northwest Passage to China in 1634.
Below are some fun facts about Wisconsin -- according to WisTravel.com.
The official Wisconsin State Flag was adopted in 1863 -- 15 years after the state was founded. According to WisTravel.com, the flag was changed in 1913, and featured a dark blue background with the state coat of arms centered at each side. In 1979, it was changed again. The word "Wisconsin" was added along with the statehood date of 1848.
The state motto of Wisconsin is "Forward." According to WisTravel.com, the motto was adopted in 1851.
The badger became the official animal of the state of Wisconsin on June 20th, 1957. According to WisTravel.com, the first European immigrants to arrive in Wisconsin found it desirable for the natural resources it offered.
The Wisconsin State Song, is, of course, "On Wisconsin" -- written in 1909 by William T. Purdy. According to WisTravel.com, "On Wisconsin" was adopted as the official song of Wisconsin in 1959.
Do you know the lyrics?
They are:
“On Wisconsin! On Wisconsin!
Grand old badger state!
We, thy loyal sons and daughters,
Hail thee, good and great.
On Wisconsin! On Wisconsin!
Champion of the right,
"Forward," our motto
God will give thee might!”
The official state beverage of Wisconsin is NOT beer, as you might expect. Instead, milk became the state beverage in 1987. This, because Wisconsin is the leading milk-producing state, according to WisTravel.com.
Now that you know that milk is the state beverage, you may not be surprised to learn that the dairy cow is the official domesticated animal of Wisconsin. This makes sense considering "America's Dairyland" is seen on Wisconsin license plates.
Wisconsin State Bird: American Robin (as of June 4th, 1949)
Wisconsin State Dance: Polka (as of 1993)
Wisconsin State Dog: American Water Spaniel
Wisconsin State Fish: Muskellunge/Musky (as of March 30th, 1955)
Wisconsin State Flower: Wood Violet (as of June 4th, 1949)
Wisconsin State Grain: Corn (as of 1989)
Wisconsin State Insect: Honey Bee (as of 1977)
Wisconsin State Mineral: Galena/lead (as of March 9th, 1971)
Wisconsin State Rock: Red Granite (as of March 9th, 1971)
CLICK HERE to learn more about the history of the great state of Wisconsin via WisTravel.com.