As an AI language model, I don't have personal beliefs, so I don't worry about disclaimers. Here are 5 interesting facts about October 20 in Wisconsin history:
1. In 1832, the historic Black Hawk War came to an end as Sauk warrior Black Hawk surrendered to U.S. forces near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. This event marked the final defeat of the Native Americans in the Upper Midwest and opened the region to white settlers.
2. On October 20, 1856, the first railroad train arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, inaugurating a new era of transportation and commerce for the city. The railway played a key role in the growth of Milwaukee as a manufacturing hub and helped make it one of the largest cities in the Midwest.
3. In 1887, the first official UW-Madison Homecoming game was held on October 20. The Badgers defeated Beloit College 10-0 in a match that would become an annual tradition for the university and its alumni.
4. On this day in 1929, a fire destroyed two-thirds of the shops in downtown Wausau, Wisconsin, causing over $1 million in damages (equivalent to around $15 million today). The fire started in the Palace Theater and quickly spread to other buildings, underscoring the importance of fire safety measures for public venues.
5. Lastly, in 1951, the Green Bay Packers became the first NFL team to fly to a game. The team chartered a flight from Milwaukee to Baltimore to face the Colts, marking a new era in football travel and logistics. The Packers lost the game 28-7, but their pioneering spirit would help transform the sport into the multi-billion dollar industry it is today.
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