Wisconsin History Day By Day

Related Web Sites:
Margarine


Read More About It

"The Story of Margarine" by Sears F. Riepma

"Governo's Pen to Signal State's Spread of Colored Oleo on July 1" Wisconsin State Journal, May 24, 1967

"Legal for Year, Oleo's Use 'Spreads'" Wisconsin State Journal, July 1, 1968


Vocabulary:

margarine
prohibition


Interesting Fact:

Wisconsin was the last state to allow the sale of oleomargarine.


Study Questions:

  • Why was oleomargarine considered a problem to dairy farmers?
  • What did people in Wisconsin do if they wanted ole margarine before 1967?
  • What was the impact on butter sales and income after 1967?


    Search these newspaper databases for additional stories about the oleomargarine battles in the 1960's.:

  • Wisconsin State Journal/The Capital Times
  • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  • BadgerLink Wisconsin Newsstand
  • Wisconsin Historical Society


    U.S. historical events that occurred on May 24:

    1844: The first telegraph line is opened with Samuel Morse sending the inaugural message.
    1883: The Brooklyn Bridge is opened.



    • May 24

    May 24, 1967: Governor Warren Knowles signed legislation allowing the sale of margarine in the state of Wisconsin, ending a 72-year prohibition to protect the dairyman's butter profit.

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