On this day in agriculture history | Thursday, April 8, 2021

Here is a handful of notable events that shaped agriculture on April 8.

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Published on April 8, 2021

Milk being put into a glass bottle — Photo: USDA

Here is a handful of notable events that shaped agriculture on April 8 over the years.

24 years ago

Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 4 Beta. Today, the internet is used on a daily basis in agriculture businesses and farm operations across the country.

48 years ago

The state of Iowa and southwest Wisconsin saw severe blizzard conditions from April 8-10, 1973. Sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph, with gusts to 65 mph was reported with falling snow. Highways were closed, travel was suspended, and property was damaged. Livestock and turkey losses totaled approximately $20 million. Record snowfall was reported in several towns. Belle Plaine had 20.3 inches, Dubuque had 19.2 inches, and Grundy Center saw 19 inches. Snow drifted as high as 16 feet. In southwest Wisconsin, this storm was quoted as being the "worst since 1921."

78 years ago

Then president Franklin D. Roosevelt froze wages and prices in an attempt to check inflation. He also prohibited workers from changing jobs unless the war effort would be benefited, and barred rate increases to common carriers and public utilities.

142 years ago

Milk was sold in glass bottles for the first time in the U.S. on April 8, 1879. Before that, people bought milk as a bulk item. The seller dispensed milk into whatever jug, pail, or other container the customer brought. By the early 1900s the typical milk bottle made 22.5 round trips before getting broken, lost, or diverted to another purpose, according to Wired.