The real turning points in state history By Ray Barrington News-Chronicle I'm sorry I didn't get to this one earlier. We got a release at the paper from the Wisconsin Historical Society about an online vote it's having to pick the most important events in state history. The idea is to use the information to build an online exhibit on "Turning Points in Wisconsin History." They have an online poll at www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints where people can vote and learn more about the past. As soon as I could, I went to the site to check out what the historians felt was important to Wisconsin history. Much of it was predictable, and maybe a little bland. They've subdivided it into several categories - prehistory (the glaciers shaping Wisconsin, arrival of the original residents, and so on), the early explorers, the territorial years, immigration, the Civil War era, 19th century economy, the La Follette Progressive Era, the two World Wars, the postwar prosperity and the last half of the 20th century. Some of it just seems a bit general ("Founding of the University of Wisconsin and Other Social Institutions," for example), some are pretty obscure ("the General Land Office Rectangular Survey"). Yes, some are important ("Development of the Railroads," "Women's Suffrage") albeit hardly specific to Wisconsin. Now, if we were going to pick the items important to Wisconsin, the list might be entirely different. Here are a few the Historical Society missed: - The French arrive in Wisconsin, naming their landing point Green Bay and proving that Jean Nicolet was colorblind. - In 1761, the first recorded "I Closed Wolski's" bumper sticker is seen on a carriage in Philadelphia. - Wisconsin is declared part of the Northwest Territory in 1787, surprising residents who point to the west and say "what about all that land over by there?" - In 1815, Wisconsin first hears about the War of 1812. - Immigrant lead miners inhabit the southern part of the state and are called "moles" until somebody points out that will be a lousy name for a football team. - In Sheboygan in 1824, in a fit of genius, an unknown man puts two bratwurst on a hamburger bun. Strangely, the hamburger will not be invented for another 50 years. - Wisconsin becomes a state in 1848, and promptly chooses its motto: "At least we're not Illinois." - The Republican Party is founded in Ripon in 1854. Strom Thurmond congratulates "the young whippersnappers." - No Civil War battles are fought in Wisconsin after rebel soldiers are halted because they don't have enough change to make it up the Tri-State Tollway to Kenosha. - In 1871, Augustus Bubbler invents the water fountain that bears his name, but because of patent suits, all other states refuse to use the correct name of the device. - The dairy industry takes a major step forward when the use of cheese as headgear fades out in favor of actually eating the stuff. The fashion will not return for more than 100 years. - The first bilingual education begins when classes in northern Wisconsin are taught in English and Youpper. - In 1894, an event happens that will unify Wisconsinites as never before - George Halas is born. - After Prohibition harms Milwaukee's breweries, state representatives try to ban suntan lotion in Florida. The measure fails. - During World War II, an attempt is made to rename "German potato salad" "Freedom potato salad." - In 1969, frustrated by several losing seasons, University of Wisconsin students march against the football team. This is misinterpreted by the media as an antiwar protest. - In 1996, the movie "Fargo" confuses people on the east and west coasts who can't tell the difference between Wisconsin and North Dakota and think we all talk like dis, ya betcha. - In 2004, Wisconsin, a state noted for unique political and educational ideas, the home of such artists as Frank Lloyd Wright, Orson Welles and Georgia O'Keefe, a manufacturing giant, is recognized with its own quarter showing ... a cow. Barrington is news editor for The News-Chronicle. His column appears here Fridays. Contact him via e-mail at [email protected] or call 432-2941.