1. In 1854, the University of Wisconsin was established, making it one of the first public universities in the United States. Today, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the largest and most well-regarded universities in the country.

2. On October 16, 1908, the Green Bay Packers played their first official football game. Originally founded in 1919, the Packers are the oldest continuously operating NFL franchise and have won a record 13 NFL championships, including four Super Bowls.

3. Wisconsin native Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the beloved "Little House" series of books, was born on October 16, 1867. Her stories of pioneer life on the American frontier have captivated generations of readers and have been adapted into numerous movies and television shows.

4. On October 16, 1962, the world stood on the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Wisconsin played a key role in this historic event, as the nearby Badger Army Ammunition Plant was responsible for producing much of the ammunition and explosives used by the US military during the crisis.

5. In 1968, Wisconsin made history by becoming the first state to enact a model air pollution control law. This groundbreaking legislation served as a model for other states and helped to pave the way for the creation of the federal Clean Air Act in 1970, which established a comprehensive framework for regulating air pollution across the country.