1. On February 16, 1937, the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Detroit collapsed due to heavy snow and killed 11 people. The disaster led to improvements in building codes and safety regulations for structures in the state.
2. In 1958, Dr. James R. Killian Jr. visited Michigan State University as part of a United States Air Force study on the potential for scientific advancements in education. This visit helped lead to the establishment of a nationally recognized Department of Physics and Astronomy at MSU.
3. In 1982, the Detroit Tigers signed pitcher Jack Morris to a five-year contract worth $5.3 million, making him the highest-paid player in team history at the time. Morris went on to become a World Series hero for the Tigers in 1984 and eventually was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
4. On February 16, 2008, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed below 12,000 points for the first time since 2006, reflecting the impact of the global economic recession on Michigan's auto industry and other sectors of the state's economy.
5. On February 16, 2014, Detroit firefighter Kevin Sehlmeyer died while battling a blaze at an abandoned commercial building in the city's east side. Sehlmeyer was the first Detroit firefighter to die in the line of duty since 2010 and his death underscored the challenges faced by first responders in a struggling and under-resourced city.
5 Fun Facts About February 16 In Michigan History
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