Oct. 1, 1851

Thirteen counties are represented at the first state fair, sponsored by the Wisconsin Agricultural Society, in Janesville. The two-day event drew 10,000 people.

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Oct. 1, 1940

The Pennsylvania Turnpike, America's first example of a toll superhighway, officially opens. Despite worries about the
$70 million price tag of the highway, it proved a huge success, hosting an average of more than 2 million vehicles every year.

Source: www.historychannel.com

Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Oct. 4, 1897

The Amalgamated Woodworkers Union is chartered in Oshkosh. At the time of organization, most woodworkers labored for 12-hour days, five days a week, for no more than $1.10 a day.

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Oct. 5, 1943

Steve Miller is born in Milwaukee. Memorable Steve Miller Band recordings include "The Joker" (1973), "Fly Like an Eagle" (1976) and "Jet Airliner" (1977).

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Oct. 8, 1871

Peshtigo is devastated by a fire that takes 1,200 lives. The fire caused more than $2 million in damages and destroyed 1.25 million acres of forest and is the greatest human loss due to fire in the history of the United States. The fire was overshadowed by the great Chicago fire, which occurred on the same day, killing 250 people and lasting three days.

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Oct. 13, 1792

The cornerstone of the White House is laid. Congress selected a design by James Hoban, an Irish immigrant architect living in Charleston, S.C., for the structure. Constructed of white-grey sandstone that contrasted with the red brick used in nearby buildings, the presidential mansion was called the White House as early as 1809.

Source: Library of Congress

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Oct. 21, 1959

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum of modern and contemporary art opens in New York City. Designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the modern structure marked a departure from traditional museum design. Its exhibition space features a spiraling, six-story ramp encircling an open center space lit by a glass dome.

Source: Library of Congress

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Oct. 26, 1825

The Erie Canal opens, providing overland water transportation between the East Coast and the Great Lakes region. Under construction for eight years, the waterway accelerated settlement of the upper Midwest.

Source: Library of Congress

Image courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Oct. 27, 1904

At precisely 2:35 p.m., the first subway train emerges from City Hall Station, marking the opening of the New York City Subway System. The project suffered years of failed attempts before financier August Belmont organized the Rapid Transit Subway Construction Co. and broke ground on the project in March 1900.

Source: Library of Congress

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Oct. 28, 1965

Workers top off the final section of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, completing construction of the nation's tallest memorial after four years of work. The 603-foot high ribbon of stainless steel, designed by architect Eero Saarinen, spans 630 feet at the ground and marks the gateway between the eastern and western United States.

Source: www.historychannel.com

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division