About Wisconsin Biographies
Wisconsin Biographies
Wisconsin is shaped by people who have made history: the freedom seekers, community builders, innovators of industry, land protectors, and more. The Wisconsin Biographies collection brings their stories to life for learners today with short animated videos, digital books, historical images, and extension activity ideas that support academic standards. Visit the Educator Resources page for a quick-start chart for the collection, and guides for each story.
Learning Goals
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Discover
Discover life stories from Wisconsinites of the past and recognize their contributions to history.
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Interpret
Interpret informational and multimodal texts in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
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Relate
Identify connections between past and present, and relate to the lives of people who made Wisconsin history.
Story Spotlight
Bill Harley & Arthur Davidson
Innovation on Two Wheels
1880–1943 1881–1950
At the turn of the 20th century, a hilly ride to the lake sparked an innovation opportunity for Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson. Combining their ideas and skills with some help from family and friends, they took the motorcycle to new heights and built one of the largest companies in Wisconsin, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.
Explore the Collection
Partners
Funding provided by
Quotation
“We must include a variety of perspectives to make history fascinating enough for our students to make a connection. This collection helps instill curiosity about the past, shows that the improbable can actually become possible; and may even inspire the life of the learner.”