On this day: July 12

1853 - Wisconsin Teachers Association Organized

On this date the Wisconsin Teachers Association was organized in Madison with eight educators participating. The association later became the Wisconsin Education Association Council, which is the modern-day official teacher's union of Wisconsin. [Source: WEAC.org]

1865 - (Civil War) 16th and 36th Infantry regiments muster out

The 16th and 36th Wisconsin Infantry regiments mustered out. The 16th had participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Jonesboro, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Sherman's March to the Sea, and the siege of Savannah. It lost 399 men during service. The 36th had only mustered in March 23, 1864, and remained around the Washington, D.C., for the duration of its service. Its brief service included the Appomattox Campaign, Hatcher's Run, and the surrender of General Robert E. Lee. It lost 342 men in a little over a year.

1995 - Deadly Heat Wave Begins

From July 12-15, 1995, the Midwest was subjected to a deadly outbreak of hot and humid weather responsible for 141 deaths in Wisconsin. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, this was the "greatest single event of weather-related deaths in Wisconsin history." Most of the fatalities happened in the urban southeast counties of the state, and at one point several Milwaukee-area hospitals were unable to admit more patients.

Milwaukee Temperatures (from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel): July 12: Hi=91, Lo=65 July 13: Hi=103*, Lo=78 July 14: Hi=102, Lo=84 July 15: Hi=92, Lo=69 July 16: Hi=88, Lo=68 *Some communities reported highs as high as 108. Heat Index values were 120-130 degrees.

NOAA’s Natural Disaster Survey Report on the outbreak is available at http://www.weather.gov/os/assessments/pdfs/heat95.pdf [Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]