10 moments from Milwaukee's past: October
Oct. 1, 1988:
Bradley Center drops 1st puck
The $91 million sports arena, funded largely by Lloyd and Jane Pettit, had its debut with an exhibition National Hockey League game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks. The center was built in part to lure an NHL team to Milwaukee.
Oct. 5, 1926:
Airport comes in for a landing
The Milwaukee County Board approved the purchase of a new airport facility in the southeast corner of the county for $150,000. The airport, now Mitchell International Airport, replaced the county's Butler Airport at what is now Currie Park.
Oct. 6, 1995:
Miller Park wins, in extra innings
Shortly before 5 a.m., after a marathon, back-and-forth session, the state Senate voted, 16-15, to approve a financing plan for the new Brewers ballpark, right next to the old one. State Sen. George Petak (R-Racine), who cast the decisive vote, lost his seat in a recall election eight months later.
Oct. 9, 1876:
A women's place
A group of prominent women got together at the home of Martha Reed Mitchell, wife of banker Alexander Mitchell, for the first meeting of the Women's Club of Wisconsin. Begun as an organization focused on intellectual exchange and the betterment of society, it's considered the oldest private club in Milwaukee and the oldest women's club in the United States.
Oct. 13, 1924:
Changing face of law and order
Judson Walter Minor became the first African-American police officer in the Milwaukee Police Department. Minor served on the force for about three years and later worked as a crane operator at a steel company in Milwaukee. He died in 1981.
Oct. 14, 1912:
An ex-president shot, not stopped
As he was heading out to speak at the Milwaukee Auditorium (today's Milwaukee Theatre), former president and third-party candidate Theodore Roosevelt was shot by a man who had been stalking him on the campaign trail. Although the bullet hit him in the chest — it was slowed by the copy of his speech in his pocket, as well as his metal eyeglass case — Roosevelt insisted on giving his speech as scheduled.
Oct. 16, 1968:
The Bucks take a bow
The Milwaukee Bucks made their NBA debut at the Milwaukee Arena, losing to the Chicago Bulls, 89-84, before a crowd of 8,467. Jon McGlocklin scored the first points in team history, with a jump shot 13 seconds into the game.
Oct. 20, 1982:
Not in the Cards for Crew
After a couple of comebacks to win the American League pennant, the Brewers lost Game 7 of the World Series to the Cardinals, 6-3, in St. Louis. Former Brewer Darrell Porter, who had become the Cardinals' catcher, was named World Series MVP.
Oct. 28, 1928:
The Babe and Lou in Brew City
Baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig brought their barnstorming teams — the Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lous — to Milwaukee's Borchert Field for an exhibition match before 8,000 fans. Ruth hit a "tremendous" home run in the ninth inning to lead the Babes to a 5-4 win.
Oct. 31, 1865:
Standing up for suffrage
Ezekiel Gillespie — a former slave who purchased his freedom before coming to Milwaukee in 1854 and becoming a leader of the African-American community — was turned away when he tried to register to vote. After being refused the right to vote a month later, Gillespie sued city election officials, citing an 1849 state referendum in favor of universal suffrage; the Wisconsin Supreme Court sided with Gillespie in a landmark case in March 1866.
Sources: Journal Sentinel archives, wisconsinhistory.org, mitchellairport.com, wc-wi.org, nba.com/bucks
ABOUT THIS FEATURE
Every month, history is made and passes through Milwaukee. On the first Monday of each month, the Green Sheet takes a look at 10 moments from our past — not an exhaustive or complete list, but a mix of incidents, happenings and events that have helped make Milwaukee Milwaukee.
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