1. In 1923, the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds hosted the first-ever National Air Races, attracting thousands of spectators to witness the daring feats of pilots from across the country.
2. On August 28, 1945, Army Air Forces Captain George J. Marrett made history by landing his P-51 Mustang fighter plane on a stretch of highway near Burlington, Wisconsin. The emergency landing was prompted by engine trouble, but Marrett managed to avoid crashing and safely guide his plane to a stop.
3. In 1954, a reception was held in Milwaukee to honor US Senator Joseph McCarthy, who had recently returned from a two-month European tour. The event drew a large crowd of supporters as well as protesters, reflecting the controversial and divisive nature of McCarthy's anti-communist crusade.
4. On August 28, 1963, thousands of civil rights activists gathered in the nation's capital for the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Among the speakers was Wisconsin's own Father James Groppi, a prominent Milwaukee civil rights leader who called for an end to racial segregation and discrimination.
5. In 2012, the Wisconsin State Capitol hosted a memorial service for Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Brian Bill, who was killed in action in Afghanistan. Bill, a native of Stamford, Connecticut, had ties to Wisconsin through his wife, who was from the state. The service was attended by hundreds of mourners, including Governor Scott Walker and other state officials.
5 Fun Facts About August 28 In Wisconsin History
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