Archeological evidence indicates that prehistoric hunters may have roamed the Wisconsin region as early as 10,000 B.C. By about 2000 B.C. they had been succeeded by people of the Old Copper Culture, who may have been the first in North America to have a knowledge of metalworking. Mound Builders inhabited the area during the Adena (1000 B.C. to 200 A.D. ), Hopewell (300 to 700), and Mississippian (700 to 1500) periods. By the 17th century, when Europeans first reached the region, it was occupied by various Indian tribes. Among the most prominent were the Chippewas (Ojibways) and the Winnebagos.

Important dates in Wisconsin
1634 Jean Nicolet, a French explorer, landed on the Green Bay shore.
c. 1670 Fathers Claude Jean Allouez and Louis Andre founded a missionary center at De Pere.
1673 Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette traveled through the Wisconsin region.
1740 The French defeated the Fox Indians.
1763 England received the Wisconsin region from France under terms of the Treaty of Paris.
1783 Wisconsin became part of the United States.
1836 Congress created the Wisconsin Territory.
1848 Wisconsin became the 30th state on May 29.
1871 About 1,200 persons were killed in a forest fire that destroyed Peshtigo and nearby villages.
1872 William D. Hoard and others organized the Wisconsin Dairymen's Association.
1901 Robert M. La Follette, Sr., became governor, and the Progressive era began.
1911 The state legislature set up a teachers' pension, established a commission to settle labor disputes, and passed other progressive legislation.
1924 Robert M. La Follette, Sr., was defeated as the Progressive Party candidate for President of the United States.
1932 Wisconsin passed the first state unemployment-compensation act.
1958 Gaylord Nelson became the first Democrat to win election as governor since 1932.
1964 Wisconsin became the first state to have its legislative districts reapportioned by its supreme court.
1971 The state legislature created a state university system--the University of Wisconsin System.
1987 Wisconsin adopted a state lottery to increase government revenues.