1. On August 31, 1850, Wisconsin officially became a state. Previously, it had been a part of the Michigan and Northwest Territories. The statehood celebration was held on May 29, 1851, and featured speeches, parades, and other festivities.

2. In 1917, on August 31, the Wisconsin National Guard was mobilized to serve in World War I. The soldiers were sent to Camp Douglas for training before being deployed to Europe. Many Wisconsin soldiers made significant contributions to the war effort, including Medal of Honor recipient Michael J. Daly.

3. On August 31, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. The act created a national system of old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, and aid to dependent children. It remains one of the most significant pieces of legislation in American history.

4. The Green Bay Packers played their first-ever game on August 31, 1919, against a team from Menominee, Michigan. The game was played at Hagemeister Park in Green Bay and the Packers won 53-0. Today, the Packers are one of the most successful NFL franchises in history.

5. In 1970, on August 31, Wisconsin native and baseball great Warren Spahn recorded his 300th career win as a pitcher. He achieved the milestone by pitching a complete game for the New York Mets against the Chicago Cubs. Spahn is widely considered one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.