1. Birth of Elvis Presley: On January 8, 1935, the "King of Rock and Roll" Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. Though he was not a Michigan native, his music made a significant impact on the state's culture.

2. Michigan Statehood: In 1837, Michigan was admitted as the 26th state in the United States. January 8 is recognized as a state holiday known as Michigan Statehood Day.

3. Hazel Park Raceway Opens: On January 8, 1949, the Hazel Park Raceway opened as a harness racing track in Hazel Park, Michigan. It became one of the top harness racing tracks in the country and operated until its closure in 2018.

4. Michigan Wolverines Football Wins National Championship: In 1998, the University of Michigan Wolverines football team won the national championship, defeating the Washington State Cougars in the Rose Bowl. It was the Wolverines' first national championship since 1948.

5. Battle Creek Sanitarium Fire: On January 8, 1911, a devastating fire broke out at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, a health resort founded by Seventh-day Adventist leader John Harvey Kellogg. Though no one was killed in the fire, the sanitarium was destroyed and had to be rebuilt.