1. On September 4, 1885, the Detroit Electric Railway Company began operations. It was the first streetcar line in Detroit and ran from Campus Martius to Belle Isle, a distance of 10 miles. The introduction of streetcar lines in cities helped to revolutionize transportation and urban development.

2. The Michigan Central Railroad opened its first depot in Detroit on September 4, 1849. The station became a landmark in the city and was an important transportation hub for the region. The building still stands today and has been renovated into a mixed-use development.

3. On September 4, 1957, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission was established. This commission was created to investigate complaints of discrimination and worked to promote equal opportunity in employment, education, and housing. Michigan was one of the first states to establish a civil rights commission.

4. The Mackinac Bridge, which connects Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsulas, officially opened to traffic on September 4, 1957. The bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere and was a major engineering feat at the time of its construction.

5. On September 4, 1833, the Treaty of Chicago was signed between the United States and several Native American tribes. The treaty called for the relocation of the tribes to lands west of the Mississippi River. The forced relocation, known as the Trail of Tears, has been recognized as a tragic moment in American history.