1. The Sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald: On December 7, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a bulk carrier ship, sank in Lake Superior during a storm. All 29 crew members were lost. This tragic event was immortalized in a song by Gordon Lightfoot and is still remembered today as one of the greatest shipping disasters on the Great Lakes.

2. Michigan Ratifies the 21st Amendment: On December 7, 1933, Michigan was the first state to ratify the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition and allowed the sale and consumption of alcohol in the United States once again. This event is celebrated each year on December 5th as Repeal Day.

3. The Battle of River Raisin: On December 7, 1812, an important battle was fought during the War of 1812 near the River Raisin in Monroe County, Michigan. The battle was between American forces, led by General James Winchester, and a British-Canadian force under the command of Colonel Henry Procter. The battle ended in a crushing defeat for the Americans and is remembered as a significant event in Michigan's history.

4. Michigan Becomes a State: On December 7, 1835, Michigan was admitted as the 26th state in the Union. This happened after a long and contentious dispute with Ohio over the boundary between the two states. Michigan eventually agreed to give up a strip of land in the Toledo area in exchange for statehood.

5. The PBB Contamination: On December 7, 1973, a chemical accident occurred in St. Louis, Michigan, that led to widespread contamination of the local milk supply with the toxic substance PBB. This contamination had long-lasting effects on the health and well-being of the people and animals in the area and is remembered as one of the worst environmental disasters in Michigan's history.