"Forward," the state motto, reflects Wisconsin's continuous drive to be a national leader.
Founded in 1848, Wisconsin is the 30th State of the Union. Its capital is Madison.
Wisconsin was first discovered by Europeans in 1634 during the expedition of Jean Nicolet.
The territory was then slowly populated by fur traders and miners. From 1754 to 1763,
Wisconsin Indians, led by French trader Charles Langlade, fought in several battles against
British and British-American colonists. When the war ended, Wisconsin became a British
colonial territory. In 1783, Wisconsin finally became a territory of the United States and then
a state in 1848.
Wisconsin was thrust into the forefront of national politics when Wisconsin abolitionists
defied the Fugitive Slave Act in 1854. Those protesting the Kansas-Nebraska bill met in
Ripon and created the Republican Party.
