On This Day: June 4

1837 - Territorial Capitol Cornerstone Ceremony Held

On this date Ebenezer and Roseline Peck hosted the Capitol cornerstone-laying celebration at their log public house in Madison. Peck Cabin, Madison's first residence, business and post office, was demolished in 1857. [Source: History Just Ahead: A Guide to Wisconsin's Historical Markers. Edited by Sarah Davis McBride, p. 89.]

1861 - First Recorded Kidney Removal Occurs

On this date Dr. Erastus B. Wolcott, a Milwaukee surgeon, performed the first recorded removal of a diseased kidney. [Source: History Just Ahead: A guide to Wisconsin's Historical Markers edited by Sarah Davis McBride, p. 22.]

1864 - (Civil War) Fourth day at Cold Harbor, Virginia

From May 31-June 12, 1864, more than 160,000 men clashed at Cold Harbor, Virginia, during the Wilderness Campaign. The 5th, 6th, 7th and 36th Wisconsin Infantry regiments took part. By June 4, both sides were dug in about nine miles from Richmond. "We are still hiding away from bullets of rebel sharpshooters," Col. Rufus Dawes wrote to his wife. "The line of works where we are is very crooked and we get bullets and artillery shots from nearly all points of the compass."

1916 - Earth Day Founder Gaylord Nelson Born

On this date Gaylord Nelson, state and U.S. Senator, governor, and founder of Earth Day, was born in Clear Lake. He ran for the State Senate in 1948 and served ten years before being elected Governor in 1958. In 1962, Nelson was elected to the U.S. Senate. As a strong proponent of environmental protection Nelson proposed an environmental agenda for the 1970s in a speech given before the 91st Congress. The first Earth Day celebration was held April 22, 1970.

1953 - Wade House Dedicated

On this date the Wade House, a Wisconsin Historical Society site, was dedicated. Amid great fanfare, complete with an appearance by Carl Sandburg and Jennie Tourel, the Wade House opened to the public on June 4, 1953, as the Wisconsin Historical Society's second historic site. The Wade House is one of Wisconsin's finest examples of a historic stagecoach inn. [Source: Wade House, Wisconsin Historical Society]