Birthdays often come and go with the passing of a single day. But, when you're turning 150 years old, people begin to roll out the red carpet and break out the sparklers.
April 7, 1856, a charter created this city that is now the state's capitol and hosts a world class research institution. And 150 years to the date, the city of Madison kicked off its year-long sesquicentennial celebration with a birthday party at Monona Terrace.
Though the balloons may now be deflated and the cake eaten, plenty of opportunities remain for the citizens of this city to celebrate the city's birthday. In 2004, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz created the Madison 150 Sesquicentennial Commission to lead the celebration. The project, titled "Madison Heritage Series: Sharing Our Legacy," has been involved with creating markers to commemorate the historic achievements of the city, and the 12 markers will be on display throughout the city.
Few cities in this nation have as much character and tradition as Madison. But this city is more than home to Oscar Mayer and its famed Weinermobile or the birthplace of the satirical newspaper known as The Onion and the American Girl doll collection.
Here are a few facts complied by the Commission.
— In 2004, Madison topped the list of cities in the nation with the most Ph.D.'s per capita, according to Forbes magazine.
— This city was once described as "70 square miles surrounded by reality" by former Gov. Lee Dreyfus. And somehow this city can't seem to shed the phrase.
— Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed Madison's conference center, Monona Terrace. Construction of the building didn't conclude, though, until 1997 — almost 40 years after Mr. Wright's death.
— Robert La Follette may be considered a somewhat of an icon in this state. Even the School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin is graced by his name. His wife holds the distinction of being the first woman to graduate from the UW Law School.
— And finally, Madison was home to the largest political rally ever held in this state when 80,000 people gathered on West Washington in 2004 for Sen. John Kerry's campaign visit to the Dairy State.
Although Madison has had its share of bright days, it has also had its share of less than memorable moments.
Until the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, Madison was home to the largest act of domestic terrorism when four men bombed Sterling Hall on the University of Wisconsin campus in 1970. While the men intended to destroy the Army Mathematics Research Center in protest of the Vietnam War, they killed a graduate student instead. During that same year, UW experienced violent protests of Dow Chemical Company — responsible for making napalm — and its recruiters on campus.
On a bit of a lighter note, there have also been the occasional riots occurring on State Street during the annual Halloween celebration, with each of the past four years ending in the use of pepper spray. And in 1996, the future of the Mifflin Street Block Party seemed questionable after a few thousand students engaged in a three-day riot, which resulted in a torched car, $10,000 in damage to a ladder truck and significant property damage.
Nonetheless, our city's experiences — however positive or negative they may be — have shaped the unique history of Madison. And the university's influence on this history should not go unmentioned.
Last weekend may have been the beginning of the celebration of Madison's 150th birthday. However, students who find themselves in this city over the summer should consider participating in other events that will celebrate Madison's sesquicentennial anniversary.
Darryn Beckstrom ([email protected]) is a doctoral student in the department of political science and a second-year MPA candidate in the La Follette School of Public Affairs.
