1) In 1782, Detroit was returned to American control after being captured by the British during the Revolutionary War. The city was primarily inhabited by French settlers at the time.

2) The University of Michigan was established on December 12, 1817, making it one of the oldest public universities in the United States. The school was originally located in Detroit before moving to its current location in Ann Arbor.

3) On December 12, 1835, Michigan became the 26th state to be admitted to the Union. The state's name comes from the Ojibwe word "mishigamaa," which means "large water" or "large lake," referring to Lake Michigan.

4) In 1929, the Ford Motor Company introduced the Model A, replacing the iconic Model T. The Model A was produced until 1931 and was known for its modern features and sleek design.

5) The Detroit Pistons NBA team played their first game at the Pontiac Silverdome on December 12, 1978. The Pistons had previously played in other venues around Detroit but moved to the Silverdome, which was one of the largest indoor stadiums in the world at the time.