Wisconsin History Day By Day

Related Web Sites:

Read More About It

"Capital Punishment in Wisconsin and the Nation" by A. Peter Cannon

"Capital Punishment" by Harry Henderson

"The History of Capital Punishment" by John Laurence

Vocabulary:

abolishing

capital

humanitarian

Interesting Fact:

Between 1836 and 1851, there were four people executed in Wisconsin, two of which were Indians.

Study Questions:

How many states currently do not have the death penalty?

Who was John McCaffary and why was he so important in the abolishing of capital punishment in Wisconsin?

Have there been attempts to repeal Wisconsin's capital punishment law? What is the situation today?

U.S. historical events that occurred on July 12:

1984: U.S. Rep. Geraldine Ferraro becomes the first woman to run for vice-president on a major-party ticket as she is selected by presidential candidate Walter Mondale as his running mate.

July 12

July 12, 1853: Governor Leonard Farwell signed the law abolishing capital punishment in the state. Wisconsin was the first state in the country to take such humanitarian action.

Wisconsin History Day By Day homepage January - December calendar page

July 12, 1853: Governor Leonard Farwell signed the law abolishing capital punishment in the state. Wisconsin was the first state in the country to take such humanitarian action.