Jesse Jackson at the airport? Not an April Fool joke in 1988

April 1st of 1988 was Good Friday, and the Friday before the Wisconsin Presidential Primary.  There was a buzz around the community about Democrat Jesse Jackson coming to speak at the Heileman hanger at the La Crosse airport late that night.  About 200 people showed up to hear Jackson criticize plans to send more U.S. troops to Panama.  He also wanted Attorney General Ed Meese to resign, and asked supporters to “Come Alive April Five,” the day of the primary.  Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts won the Wisconsin Democratic primary.  Vice President George Bush won 82 per cent of the Republican primary vote.  Bob Dole dropped out of the GOP race, the same week that he campaigned at Heileman Hall in La Crosse.  Illinois Senator Paul Simon also went to the brewery, and Senator Al Gore spoke at UW-L.  

Another Jackson had a hit song on the radio that April.  Michael Jackson was number 1 on the charts on April Fool’s Day with “Man in the Mirror.”  And no joke…Jackson’s song followed Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” in the #1 spot, 29 years ago, Yesterday in La Crosse.