Today in 1794: In the Whiskey Rebellion – 500 armed citizens protesting a new excise tax on distilleries – clash with Fort Pitt troops after firing on a revenue collector and burning down his home.
Within three weeks, fifteen thousand uniformed militia men will enter the fray. The reinforcements will include U.S. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, whose close associates in the rum business are among the tax’s major benefactors.
It’s today’s Action Calendar!
Tomorrow night is the first in the Madison “Wheels and Reels” series of bike-in film screenings. Friday’s film is “The Princess Bride.” It’s free, and beer sales benefit Wisconsin Bike Federation. This is tomorrow night at the Gunflint Trail Park, 5420 Gunflint Trail in Fitchburg. The event starts at 6pm, and movie starts at sunset. More info at wheelsandreelsmadison.com or call 608-620-4231.
Tonight’s Socrate’s Cafe topic is “Can we continue to accept the status quo?” This is at 7pm at Michelangelo’s Coffeehouse, 114 State Street. For more info, call Richard at 608-257-8869.
The Friends of Madison Public Library Used Book Sale is this Friday from 9am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 5pm. The sale will include fiction and non-fiction for adults and will feature children’s and history books. This is at the Central Library, 201 West Mifflin. More info at madisonpubliclibrary.org.