Wisconsin History Day By Day

Related Web Sites:
"Winnebago tribe 'adopts' Governor


Read More About It

"Wisconsin Blue Book" 1960


Vocabulary:

secretary of state
consecutive
bookkeeper


Interesting Fact:

In the 1952 election for Secretary of State, Zimmerman received 1,039,317 votes, the largest vote total up to that time ever received by a candidate in Wisconsin.


Study Questions:

  • What were Zimmerman's duties as Secretary of State?
  • Who was elected Secretary of State in 1956, two years after Zimmerman was last elected?
  • What were the major issues during Zimmerman's tenure as governor?


    U.S. historical events that occurred on November 20:

    1789: New Jersey becomes the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights
    1967: The census clock at the Commerce Department ticks past 200 million population for the U.S.
    1998: Forty-six states settle a $206 billion lawsuit with cigarette makers



    • November 20

    Wisconsin's Governors

    Fred Zimmerman, Wisconsin's 25th governor, was born in 1880 in Milwaukee. Zimmerman held a number of jobs early in his career, including milkman, salesman and bookkeeper. He ran for the Assembly in 1908 and won by six votes. He served as secretary of state for two terms and was elected governor in 1926. Zimmerman lost his bid for re-election in 1928 and 1934. He was again elected as secretary of state, serving nine consecutive terms. Died: December 14, 1954.

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