Today In History
5 Fun Facts About May 12 In Michigan History
1. On May 12, 1926, the Michigan State Highway Department announced the creation of the M-1 highway, which would eventually become known as Woodward Avenue. The roadway, which stretches over 27 miles, is a major thoroughfare in the Detroit metro area and is known for its historic significance and cultural...
5 Fun Facts About May 11 In Michigan History
1. In 1833, the University of Michigan was founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was initially established as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, and was the first university in the United States to offer education in a broad range of subjects. 2. On May 11, 1915, the SS Eastland...
5 Fun Facts About May 10 In Michigan History
1. In 1837, Michigan was admitted as the 26th state in the United States, officially joining the Union on May 10th of that year. The state's admission followed a long and contentious struggle with the federal government over its boundary lines and its status as a free state. 2. On...
5 Fun Facts About May 9 In Michigan History
1. On May 9, 1825, the Erie Canal officially opened. While the canal runs through New York, it was a game-changer for commerce in Michigan. The canal allowed for easier transportation of goods from the Great Lakes region to the East Coast, making trade more profitable and efficient. 2. May...
5 Fun Facts About May 8 In Michigan History
1. In 1725, French explorer François Legault became the first known European to visit what is now Michigan's Saginaw Bay. 2. On May 8, 1864, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House began during the American Civil War. Michigan troops played a significant role in the battle and suffered heavy losses....
5 Fun Facts About May 7 In Michigan History
1. In 1897, the City of Detroit experienced the worst fire in its history on May 7th. The blaze began in a hardware store and quickly spread due to high winds. By the time the fire was extinguished, 200 buildings and factories had been destroyed, leaving 5,000 people homeless. 2....
5 Fun Facts About May 5 In Michigan History
1. On May 5, 1865, Michigan Senator Zachariah Chandler introduced a bill that established the Freedmen's Bureau in the aftermath of the Civil War. The bureau was tasked with helping formerly enslaved African Americans transition to freedom and gain access to education, employment, and basic necessities. 2. May 5, 1896,...
5 Fun Facts About May 4 In Michigan History
1. In 1926, the Michigan State Police was created on May 4th. It was initially formed to enforce the prohibition laws and later took over duties such as traffic enforcement and criminal investigations. 2. On May 4, 1937, Michigan saw one of the worst floods in its history when the...
5 Fun Facts About May 3 In Michigan History
1. The Michigan State Capitol building originally opened on May 3, 1879. The building, located in downtown Lansing, serves as the home of the Michigan Legislature and the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. 2. On May 3, 1909, legendary business tycoon Henry Ford...
5 Fun Facts About May 2 In Michigan History
1. The founding of the University of Michigan: On May 2, 1817, the Michigan Territory legislature passed a law that created the University of Michigan. This followed a proposal by the Reverend John Monteith and the Reverend Gabriel Richard, who wanted to establish a college to provide higher education to...
5 Fun Facts About May 1 In Michigan History
1. May Day as International Workers' Day: May 1 is celebrated as International Workers' Day or May Day around the world, and it has its roots in Michigan. In 1886, a national strike was organized by the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions in the United States, demanding an...
5 Fun Facts About April 30 In Michigan History
1. In 1837, Michigan officially became the 26th state of the United States. The state had been a part of the Northwest Territory and then the Michigan Territory before achieving statehood. 2. In 1939, the Detroit Tigers played their first night game at Briggs Stadium (now known as Tiger Stadium)....