Well Aaron Montgomery Ward was actually born in Chatham, New Jersey. However he moved to Niles, Michigan with his family in 1853. Though he only attended school through his 14th year, Monty learned much while working his first job in a barrel stave factory. He eventually decided to leave home in order to find more enjoyable work in St. Joseph, Michigan. He later wrote that, “Being a fair salesman, within nine months I was engaged as a salesman in a general country store at the princely salary of $6 per month and board.” He rose to become head clerk and general manager and remained at this store for three years before accepting a better job in a competing store, where he worked two more years. In this period, Aaron Montgomery Ward learned a great deal about the processes and economics of retailing before moving to Chicago and establishing Montgomery Ward and Co., the world’s first mail-order business.
Source : Michigan Historical Calendar, courtesy of the Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University.
On February 17, 1864, the First Michigan Michigan Colored Infantry was mustered into service during the Civil War and fought with distinction in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.. The unit was later renamed the 102nd Regiment United State Colored Troops
Source : Detroit Historical Society Facebook Page
Sources :
Detroit Historical Society Facebook Page
102nd United States Colored Infantry Regiment Wikipedia Entry.
1st Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry (colored). Later renamed 102nd Unites States Colored Troops (1863-1865.
For more information about Samuel Lett and the 102nd Regiment United States Colored Troops, see Bob Garrett, “…With the Greatest Determination…”, Archives of Michigan, February 15, 2011.
Click here for a photograph of the 1st Michigan Colored Infantry Historical Marker in Detroit with accompanying article.
More information about the 1st Michigan Colored Regiment / 102nd Regiment United States Colored Troops posted by the South Adams Street circa 1900 facebook page,:
“All Men Are Born Free And Equal, To Realize Which We Fight.” was emblazoned on the battle flag of the 1st Michigan Colored Regiment / 102nd United States Colored Troops (1st Michigan Colored Regiment) during the Civil War when they arrived in Annapolis, Maryland in April, 1864.
Another Battle Flag of the 102nd United States Colored Troops (USCT) 1863-1865
(Originally known as 1st Michigan Colored Infantry)
On February 17, 1918, the U.S. Department of Justice sent instructions to “war bureaus” throughout Michigan to arrest all German aliens who had failed to register. As a result, many of Michigan’s 80,000 German-born and 20,000 Austrian-born residents who had not registered with the government faced internment or deportation. This came in the wake of anti-German sentiment sweeping the nation after the declaration of World War I.
Source: Mich-Again’s Day
February 17, 1933
Two men were held by police on charges of violating the state liquor law following raids here late Thursday night and early Friday morning.
Police confiscated a small amount of home brew beer and moonshine whiskey at one home. The officers claimed to have dumped 87(c)quarts and 145 pints of beer and a 10-gallon crock of mash.
At another officers said they found two gallons of moonshine whiskey, a copper still, and marked money used in making the purchase on which the raid was based.
Source : Lansing State Journal, February 17, 1933
Put your babies in the back seat! On February 17, 2014, the Michigan Senate passed (30-7) a bill forbidding mothers from breast-feeding their children in the front seat of a car.
Source: MIRS Capitol Capsule Bulletin, 2/17/2004.
They grew up together in Oakland County, from the time they were nine years old, sharing childhood, adolescence and a passionate love for skating.
After a journey of 17 years in which they held hands and skated out on to the ice thousands of times, and with a second record-setting performance in two nights at the 2014 Sochi Games, Meryl Davis of West Bloomfield and Charlie White of Bloomfield Hills, who train at Arctic Edge in Canton and are students at the University of Michigan, became the first American ice dancers to win a gold medal.
In a stunning, haunting-free dance to music they said meant so much to them because of its beauty and the story it tells, “Scheherazade” by the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, they performed a routine choreographed by their Russian coach, Marina Zueva, before a Russian audience with a sophisticated knowledge of the sport.
For the full article, see Gregg Krupa, “Michigan’s Davis, White win gold in Olympic ice dancing, set world record”, Detroit News, February 17, 2014.
udge Richard Enslen died Feb. 17 at age 83.
He is remembered for forcing the MHSAA to comply with Title IX, the federal law banning sex discrimination in school settings.
Enslen’s rulings in the case had a lasting impact nationwide, Galles said, especially his rejection of MHSAA’s argument that, as a private organization, it wasn’t subject to Title IX or the equal protection clause under the U.S. Constitution.
Enslen ruled that, private or not, a statewide athletic association was subject to racial and gender discrimination laws, a stance affirmed by that U.S. Supreme Court.
On the issue of sports seasons, MHSAA defended its schedule as optimizing use of facilities, coaches and referees. The plaintiffs argued that as a result of playing in different seasons than peers around the country, Michigan’s female athletes were less likely to be named to All-American teams, win athletic scholarships or participate in national competitions.
Enslen ruled that however pragmatic the arrangement, girls bore the entire burden of the scheduling conflicts and that was illegal.
For the full article, see Julie Mack, “Death of Judge Richard Enslen revives memories of epic Title IX battle with MHSAA”, MLive, February 21, 2015.
February 16-18, 2018
Michigan State sophomore, Khalilah Smith, rides around the school’s livestock pavilion during the 49th annual Spartan Stampede Sunday afternoon. Saturday, Smith was named the first African-American Rodeo Queen in MSU history. (Photo: Angela Vinciguerra-Whalen photos)
As a Michigan State University student, you can study violin with a touring virtuoso artist, you can research rare isotopes at a world renowned research facility, you can play football at the Rose Bowl, or you can experiment in the field of genetics with a MacArthur genius.
But let’s not forget, you can also ride a bucking bronco at the 49th Annual Spartan Stampede Rodeo, appearing at the MSU Pavilion Feb. 16-18.
As MSU has grown to become an internationally recognized research institution, the Stampede, put on by the MSU Rodeo Club, reminds us where MSU’s roots are – firmly in the ground.
After all, MSU’s name used to be the Michigan Agricultural College.
The MSU Rodeo Club originated in 1969. In addition to organizing the Spartan Stampede, the club sends a team to compete in various rodeos throughout the Ozark Region. The proceeds of the rodeo will be used by the MSU Rodeo Club to cover travel costs from MSU intercollegiate rodeo competitors. It will also help provide scholarship funds for current and prospective MSU students. For more information on the rodeo, visit the MSU Rodeo Club’s Web site at http://msurodeoclub.com.
Between 30,000 and 40,000 people make their way out to the rodeo every year.
The three-day event is jam-packed with bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping and barrel racing. Click here for a glimpse.
Khalilah Smith, a sophomore at Michigan State, received the distinction as the school’s first black rodeo queen at the 49th annual Spartan Stampede Rodeo on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
Click here for more action at the 49th Spartan Stampede.
Sources:
Ken Glickman, “Spartan Stampede brings 300 rodeo riders to MSU Feb. 20-22”, Lansing State Journal, February 20, 2015.
Anne Erickson, “Spartan Stampede: Everything you need to know”, Lansing State Journal, February 18, 2016
Princess Gabbaro, “Spartan Stampede Rodeo: Everything you need to know“, Lansing State Journal, February 12, 2018
Cody J. Tucker, “Khalilah Smith is the first black rodeo queen in Michigan State history“, Lansing State Journal, February 21, 2018.
Michigan State pulled off the biggest comeback in Big Ten history Saturday afternoon, erasing a 27-point deficit to pull off a 65-60 road win over Northwestern. The comeback also ranks as the fifth-largest in Division-I history.
Northwestern rolled out to a 43-16 lead in the first half and carried a seemingly insurmountable 49-27 lead over the second-ranked Spartans into the locker room at halftime. The second 20 minutes were a complete role reversal. Michigan State held their hosts to just 3-of-26 from the field and only 11 total points. Those 11 points tied the season-low for points in a half by a Division-I team this season.
Belive it or not, but Michigan State also owns the Big Ten (and NCAA record) for largest comeback in a football game, and that victory also came against the Wildcats. In 2006, Northwestern led Michigan State 38-3 with 9:54 to go in the third quarter before the Spartans raced back for a seemingly impossible 41-38 win.
Source: Mike Rutherford, “Michigan State pulls off biggest comeback in Big Ten history with 65-60 win over Northwestern“, SBNation, February 17, 2018.
February 16-18, 2018
February 15-17, 2009
February 17-21, 2022
The UP200 is one of the top 12-dog mid-distance races in the Midwest, as well as being an Iditarod qualifier. The UP200 trail covers 230 miles of challenging terrain from Marquette to Grand Marais, Michigan and back again through forested land and near-wilderness. Mushers face hills, creek crossings, deep snow, and isolated trail. This is a true test of skill and stamina! The first leg of the trail is from Marquette to Wetmore, a distance of approximately 64 miles on the upbound leg, and 60 miles on the downbound leg.
A 90 mile 8-dog Midnight Run and a 26 mile 6-dog Jack Pine are also scheduled in conjunction with the UP200.
Sources :
What’s It Like to Race the UP200
Jackie Stark, “Numbers for sled dog races climbing just days before events”, Marquette Mining Journal, February 11, 2014.
Julie Bitely, “Dog Sled Racing: The Thrilling Event Taking Over the U.P. This Weekend”, A Healthier Michigan, February 12, 2015.