Madison

Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, was founded on November 28, 1836. It was named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. The city was selected as the capital of the Wisconsin Territory due to its central location between the growing cities of Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien, along with the persuasive influence of its founder, James Doty.

Wisconsin was admitted to the Union as the 30th state on May 29, 1848. Upon statehood, Madison was confirmed as the capital of Wisconsin, following its earlier designation as the territorial capital. This solidified its status as a key political and administrative center in the region.

The original Wisconsin State Capitol was completed in Madison in 1854. The building served as the statehouse until it was replaced by a more modern structure. The selection of Madison as the site for the Capitol was crucial in its development as a political hub of the Midwest, drawing in significant governmental activity.

The construction of the current Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison was completed in 1917. Designed by architect George B. Post in the Beaux-Arts style, the Capitol is notable for its grandeur and prominence, with the largest dome by volume in the United States. This building remains a key symbol of Wisconsin's government and history.

During the late 1960s, University of Wisconsin–Madison was a focal point for student protests, particularly against the Vietnam War and military recruitment on campus. The protests peaked in 1969 with significant events that drew national attention, such as large demonstrations and confrontations with police, underlining the campus's role in the nationwide student movement.

On August 24, 1970, Sterling Hall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus was bombed in protest of the university's research connections to the United States military during the Vietnam War. The event resulted in the death of a researcher and marked one of the most violent demonstrations against the Vietnam War on a university campus.

In 1979, Madison became one of the first cities in the United States to pass an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. This legislation highlighted the city's progressive stance on LGBTQ rights and set a precedent for future anti-discrimination laws across the nation, marking a significant step in the fight for equality.

Madison took a progressive step by becoming one of the first municipalities to establish a same-sex partnership registry in 2003. The registry provided a means for same-sex couples to gain some legal recognition and benefits, showcasing the city's ongoing commitment to civil rights and social equality.

In 2011, Madison was the epicenter of significant protests against Governor Scott Walker's budget repair bill, which was perceived as weakening labor unions. Huge crowds gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol, some occupying it for weeks, in one of the largest sustained protests in the state's history. The movement had a substantial impact on Wisconsin politics.

In the wake of George Floyd's killing in 2020, Madison witnessed substantial protests as part of the national movement for racial justice. Demonstrations included peaceful marching, speeches, and instances of civil unrest, highlighting local racial disparities and calling for police reform and broader social changes within the city and beyond.