1. In 1812, the first shots of the War of 1812 were fired in Michigan at Fort Mackinac on July 19th. A small British force captured the fort without losing a single soldier.

2. In 1850, the first statewide census was taken in Michigan on July 19th. The census recorded the population of the state as 397,654 people, with Detroit being the largest city with a population of 21,019.

3. In 1979, the first Great Lakes Medieval Faire was held on July 19th in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The event featured jousting, sword fighting, and medieval food and drink.

4. In 1994, the Mackinac Bridge celebrated its 37th anniversary on July 19th. The bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world and connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan.

5. In 2013, the Detroit Tigers played the Chicago White Sox in the first game of a doubleheader on July 19th. In the game, Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez struck out 10 batters in a row, tying a Major League Baseball record set by Tom Seaver in 1970.