1. On December 2, 1823, the first newspaper in Michigan, The Detroit Gazette and Michigan Observer, was published by The Michigan Territory's governor Lewis Cass. The paper was published from December 2, 1823, until December 28, 1830.

2. The Northern Michigan University was founded on December 2, 1899. As a public university in Marquette, Michigan, NMU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of subjects.

3. On December 2, 1918, Michigan ratified the 18th amendment to the US Constitution, which mandated nationwide Prohibition of alcohol. The amendment went into effect the following year and lasted until its repeal in 1933.

4. The Detroit Lions played their very first Thanksgiving Day game on December 2, 1934, defeating the Chicago Bears 19-16. The annual tradition of the Lions playing on Thanksgiving Day became a tradition, except for a few years during World War II.

5. On December 2, 1987, the Michigan State Spartans football team won their first ever Rose Bowl game, defeating USC 20-17. The win was a significant milestone for the program and cemented their reputation as a perennial college football powerhouse.