Mayor Dave Cieslewicz along with other city officials commemorated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the city's charter Tuesday.
When the first city charter was signed, it gave the Madison the authority to regulate horse racing and the proper weight of bread, Cieslewicz's spokesperson George Twigg said.
Most importantly, it officially turned Madison into a city from a village.
Madison's sesquicentennial celebration is planned for from April 7 to April 9.
The city of Madison has a long and rich history, and this year is going to be a unique opportunity for citizens to learn more about their community,\ Cieslewicz said.
""As we seek to move forward and make Madison a stronger community for all of our residents, it is important that we understand our history. By understanding our history, we can better plan for our future,"" he added.\