Wisconsin became the 30th state on this day in 1848 through a vote by citizens of the then-territory after four failed attempts. The U.S. gained control of the area that would be called Wisconsin after the American Revolution. American settlers began to move to Wisconsin more heavily in the 1800s, and the U.S. gained formal control of the area after the British retreated following the War of 1812.
The U.S. then began to secure ownership of land from Native American tribes in the area, including through a bloody war with the native Sauk Indians. By 1836, Wisconsin had met the population requirements to create its own territorial government.
People voted against statehood four times because of concerns about increased taxation, but by 1848 the public's support had shifted to statehood after they'd seen the economic growth of territories that had become states.
To learn more about Wisconsin's history before it became a state, check out the website of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
