1. On April 16, 1945, Wisconsin native and hero of World War II, Richard Bong, flew his final combat mission before tragically crashing and dying during a test flight in August of that year. Bong, born in Poplar, Wisconsin, is credited with shooting down 40 enemy aircraft during his service and earned the Medal of Honor for his bravery.

2. The groundbreaking for the Wisconsin State Capitol building in Madison took place on April 16, 1906. The Capitol, designed by architect George B. Post, was completed in 1917 and is considered one of the most beautiful state capitol buildings in the country.

3. On April 16, 2002, the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team won their first and only national championship. Led by coach Bo Ryan and future NBA player Devin Harris, the Badgers defeated the University of Indiana Hoosiers 64-55 in the championship game.

4. April 16, 1881 marked the birth of legendary conservationist and founder of the Wilderness Society, Aldo Leopold. Leopold was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is best known for his book "A Sand County Almanac," which is considered a cornerstone of the modern environmental movement.

5. On April 16, 1856, the Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad was incorporated. The railroad, which eventually became part of the Omaha Road, played a significant role in the development of Wisconsin's transportation and commerce.