1. On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers successfully flew their Wright Flyer for the first time in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. While this event did not occur in Wisconsin, the state played an important role in the Wright Brothers' aviation efforts. Between 1911 and 1916, the Wright Company operated a manufacturing plant in Milwaukee, where they produced some of the earliest commercial airplanes.

2. December 17, 1841, marked the founding of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The university is now one of the largest and most prestigious in the United States, known for its world-class research programs and strong commitment to academic excellence.

3. On December 17, 1967, the Milwaukee Bucks played their first-ever home game at the Milwaukee Arena (now known as the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena). The Bucks, who had just been established as an expansion team that year, would go on to win their first and only NBA championship in 1971.

4. December 17, 1847, saw the establishment of the Wisconsin State Journal, now the oldest continuously published newspaper in the state. The newspaper has a long and storied history, having covered some of the most important events in Wisconsin and American history.

5. Finally, on December 17, 1906, the first interurban electric railway in Wisconsin began operation. Known as the Milwaukee and Waukesha Interurban Railway, the line connected Milwaukee and Waukesha, and was part of a larger network of electric railways that criss-crossed southeastern Wisconsin. The interurban system was a popular mode of transportation in the early 20th century, enabling people to travel quickly and easily between cities and towns.