Michigan Day by Day

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1 1838 : Patriot War Along Detroit River Begins 1838 : Patriot War Along Detroit River Begins Jan 1 all-day Tickets The first attempt the Patriots made to invade Canada was in January 1838. A group of Patriots or Pirates, met on January 1, 1838, and they raised $135.00 and ten rifles to aid their cause. … Continue reading "1838 : Patriot War Along Detroit River Begins" 1879 : State Capitol Opens in Lansing 1879 : State Capitol Opens in Lansing Jan 1 all-day Tickets The state Capitol in Lansing opened on Jan. 1, 1879. At the dedication, Gov. Charles Croswell said it was “evidence of the lasting taste, spirit and enterprise” of Michigan’s citizenry. It was Michigan’s third Capitol. … Continue reading "1879 : State Capitol Opens in Lansing" 1895 : C. W. Post Creates the First Batch of Postum 1895 : C. W. Post Creates the First Batch of Postum Jan 1 all-day Tickets C.W. Post launched what is today one of the largest cereal companies in the U.S. on Jan. 1, 1895, in a small barn in Battle Creek. His first product was Postum, a coffee substitute. Post … Continue reading "1895 : C. W. Post Creates the First Batch of Postum" 1899 : Merrie Abbott, Michigan’s First Female County Prosecutor (Unofficially) 1899 : Merrie Abbott, Michigan’s First Female County Prosecutor (Unofficially) Jan 1 all-day Tickets Ogemaw County voters elected Merrie Abbott County Prosecutor in 1898, but the Supreme Court removed her the following year in a bizarre turn of events. Abbott and her husband had been practicing law together in … Continue reading "1899 : Merrie Abbott, Michigan’s First Female County Prosecutor (Unofficially)" 1902 : University of Michigan Wins The First Rose Bowl 1902 : University of Michigan Wins The First Rose Bowl Jan 1 all-day Tickets Originally titled the “Tournament East-West football game,” the Rose Bowl was first played on January 1, 1902, starting the tradition of New Year’s Day bowl games. The inaugural game featured Fielding Yost’s dominating 1901 Michigan … Continue reading "1902 : University of Michigan Wins The First Rose Bowl" 1911 : Detroit Tiger Hank Greenburg Born 1911 : Detroit Tiger Hank Greenburg Born Jan 1 all-day Tickets Henry Benjamin “Hank” Greenberg (January 1, 1911 – September 4, 1986), nicknamed “Hammerin’ Hank” or “The Hebrew Hammer,” was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the … Continue reading "1911 : Detroit Tiger Hank Greenburg Born" 1936 : Emilia Schaub Becomes Michigan’s First Woman County Prosecutor (Officially!) 1936 : Emilia Schaub Becomes Michigan’s First Woman County Prosecutor (Officially!) Jan 1 all-day Tickets Emilia Schaub was born in 1891 to German immigrants in a log cabin in Leelanau County. Schaub holds many firsts in Michigan’s history. While practicing law in Detroit, she was the first woman in the … Continue reading "1936 : Emilia Schaub Becomes Michigan’s First Woman County Prosecutor (Officially!)" 1940 : Matilda Lodge Wilson, 1st Female Lieutenant Governor in Michigan 1940 : Matilda Lodge Wilson, 1st Female Lieutenant Governor in Michigan Jan 1 all-day Tickets Wjhen Matilda Lodge was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Michigan by Luren Dickinson on January 1, 1940, she became not only the first woman Lieutenant Governor in Michigan, but also the first woman first woman Lieutenant … Continue reading "1940 : Matilda Lodge Wilson, 1st Female Lieutenant Governor in Michigan" 1942 : Dennis Archer Born, Future Michigan Supreme Court Member and Detroit Mayor 1942 : Dennis Archer Born, Future Michigan Supreme Court Member and Detroit Mayor Jan 1 all-day Tickets Dennis Wayne Archer (born January 1, 1942) is an American lawyer, jurist and former politician from Michigan. A Democrat, Archer served on the Michigan Supreme Court and as mayor of Detroit. He later served as … Continue reading "1942 : Dennis Archer Born, Future Michigan Supreme Court Member and Detroit Mayor" 1954 : MSU Spartans Win Their First Rose Bowl 1954 : MSU Spartans Win Their First Rose Bowl Jan 1 all-day Tickets On January 1, 1954, the MSU Spartans defeated UCLA 28-20 in their first Rose Bowl appearance. Although MSU joined the Big Ten Conference in 1950, 1953 was the first year in which they played a … Continue reading "1954 : MSU Spartans Win Their First Rose Bowl" 1969 : Verne Troyer, Actor, Born in Sturgis, Michigan 1969 : Verne Troyer, Actor, Born in Sturgis, Michigan Jan 1 all-day Tickets Verne Troyer (born January 1, 1969; died April 21, 2018) was an American actor, stunt actor and comedian. He was notable for his height of 2 ft 8 in (0.81 m), the result of cartilage–hair hypoplasia dwarfism, making … Continue reading "1969 : Verne Troyer, Actor, Born in Sturgis, Michigan" 1976 : Lake Superior State University Releases First List of Banished Words 1976 : Lake Superior State University Releases First List of Banished Words Jan 1 all-day Tickets In 1977, one year after Lake Superior State University Public Relations Director W.T. (Bill) Rabe released the first “banished words list,” he said that the international reaction from news media and the public told him … Continue reading "1976 : Lake Superior State University Releases First List of Banished Words" 1978 : Orville Hubbard, Infamous Segregationist, Steps Down as Mayor of Dearborn 1978 : Orville Hubbard, Infamous Segregationist, Steps Down as Mayor of Dearborn Jan 1 all-day Tickets Orville Hubbard, an infamous segregationist, officially stepped down on Jan. 1, 1978, after 36 years as mayor of Dearborn. Hubbard had a stroke on Nov. 3, 1974, and several mayors pro tem actually ran the … Continue reading "1978 : Orville Hubbard, Infamous Segregationist, Steps Down as Mayor of Dearborn" 1989 : The Temptations Inducted Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1989 : The Temptations Inducted Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Jan 1 all-day Tickets The Temptations were the quintessential Motown vocal group. The quintet offered a rich blend of voices accompanied by stylish, coordinated dance moves. With songs and production from some of Motown’s brightest lights – most notably … Continue reading "1989 : The Temptations Inducted Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" 2013 : Sam Singh, 1st Indian-American To Serve in Michigan House 2013 : Sam Singh, 1st Indian-American To Serve in Michigan House Jan 1 all-day Tickets Taking office on January 1, 2013, Sam Singh was the first Indian-American to serve in the Michigan House, and that made him the first Indian-American to serve as minority leader when he became the chamber’s … Continue reading "2013 : Sam Singh, 1st Indian-American To Serve in Michigan House" 2015 : Richard Bernstein Sworn In as Michigan’s First Blind Supreme Court Justice 2015 : Richard Bernstein Sworn In as Michigan’s First Blind Supreme Court Justice Jan 1 all-day Tickets Richard Bernstein made history on New Year’s Day when he was sworn in as the Michigan Supreme Court’s first blind justice during a chilly inauguration ceremony at the Capitol. The 41-year-old disability rights attorney and … Continue reading "2015 : Richard Bernstein Sworn In as Michigan’s First Blind Supreme Court Justice"	2 1837 : Michigan Legislature Convenes for First Time 1837 : Michigan Legislature Convenes for First Time Jan 2 all-day Tickets On January 2, 1837 the first regular session of the Michigan Legislature convened in Detroit for the first time. For this and other January 2 highlights, visit Pasty Central Day in Michigan 1911 : Chase Osborn, First Michigan Governor from the Upper Peninsula 1911 : Chase Osborn, First Michigan Governor from the Upper Peninsula Jan 2 all-day Tickets Arrival of the Honorable Chase S. Osborn, governor of Michigan, and the Honorable John Ross, Lieutenant governor of Michigan, at the Capitol preceding inauguration – 1/1/1911 (Bentley Historical Library) On January 2, 1911 Chase Osborn … Continue reading "1911 : Chase Osborn, First Michigan Governor from the Upper Peninsula" 1920 : Gray Ghost Embarks on Piracy and Rum Running 1920 : Gray Ghost Embarks on Piracy and Rum Running Jan 2 all-day Tickets On January 2, 1920, the Gray Ghost sailed his ice cutter across the Detroit River to Windsor, Ontario to buy a motorboat license. This was probably the last law abiding act he performed in his … Continue reading "1920 : Gray Ghost Embarks on Piracy and Rum Running" 1920: FBI Rounds Up Reds in Michigan 1920: FBI Rounds Up Reds in Michigan Jan 2 all-day Tickets On January 2, 1920, local and state authorities, as part of a nationwide communist-hunting “Red Raid” organized by J. Edgar Hoover, arrested more than a thousand Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Flint residents, nearly all of … Continue reading "1920: FBI Rounds Up Reds in Michigan" 1956 : MSU Defeats UCLA in Rose Bowl 1956 : MSU Defeats UCLA in Rose Bowl Jan 2 all-day Tickets https://onthebanks.msu.edu/Object/162-565-2387/rose-bowl–bob-shackleton-narration-1956/ Footage from the 1956 Rose Bowl game against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. MSU Head Coach – Duffy Daugherty; UCLA Head Coach – Henry … Continue reading "1956 : MSU Defeats UCLA in Rose Bowl" 1969 : Busing Approved in Michigan to End Segregation 1969 : Busing Approved in Michigan to End Segregation Jan 2 all-day Tickets The Michigan Court of Appeals rules school districts can bus students to achieve racial balance. Ruling stems from white parents challenging Lansing Board of Education decision to bus black kids from Sexton to Eastern & … Continue reading "1969 : Busing Approved in Michigan to End Segregation" 1970: Clifton Wharton, First Black President of Major U.S. University 1970: Clifton Wharton, First Black President of Major U.S. University Jan 2 all-day Tickets On January 2, 1970, Clifton Wharton became the president of Michigan State University, making him the first black president of a major U.S. white university. Source : Michigan History, January/February 2011. For more information, see … Continue reading "1970: Clifton Wharton, First Black President of Major U.S. University" 1974 : Coleman Young Becomes Detroit’s First Black Mayor 1974 : Coleman Young Becomes Detroit’s First Black Mayor Jan 2 all-day Tickets On this day Coleman Young officially became Detroit’s First Black Mayor. He would go on to serve as mayor for 20 years. According to Michigan Every Day, not wanting to be occupied on January 1, … Continue reading "1974 : Coleman Young Becomes Detroit’s First Black Mayor" 2022 : Wayne State Releases Its Annual List of Words that Should Return to Regular Use 2022 : Wayne State Releases Its Annual List of Words that Should Return to Regular Use Jan 2 all-day Tickets Now beginning its 13th year, Wayne State’s Word Warriors series promotes words especially worthy of retrieval from the linguistic cellar. Its extensive list is composed of submissions from both administrators of the website as … Continue reading "2022 : Wayne State Releases Its Annual List of Words that Should Return to Regular Use"	3 1814 : Former Michigan Territorial Governor William Hull Sentenced to Death 1814 : Former Michigan Territorial Governor William Hull Sentenced to Death Jan 3 all-day Tickets On January 3, 1814 a court martial was convened to try former governor William Hull on charges of cowardice and neglect of duty for surrendering Detroit to British in 1812. He was found guilty and … Continue reading "1814 : Former Michigan Territorial Governor William Hull Sentenced to Death" 1848 : Epaphroditus Ransom Is First Governor Sworn in at the New Capital in Lansing 1848 : Epaphroditus Ransom Is First Governor Sworn in at the New Capital in Lansing Jan 3 all-day Tickets Epaphroditus Ransom was the first governor sworn in at the new capital in Lansing Michigan. Arriving in Michigan from Vermont in 1834, Ransom settled in Kalamazoo County and served as chief justice of the Michigan … Continue reading "1848 : Epaphroditus Ransom Is First Governor Sworn in at the New Capital in Lansing" 1951 : Ruth Thompson from Whitehall Becomes Michigan’s First Congresswoman 1951 : Ruth Thompson from Whitehall Becomes Michigan’s First Congresswoman Jan 3 all-day Tickets Ruth Thompson became Michigan’s first woman in Congress when voters elected her to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1950. A Whitehall native, Thompson (1887 – 1970) spent her entire working life as a public … Continue reading "1951 : Ruth Thompson from Whitehall Becomes Michigan’s First Congresswoman" 1987 : Aretha Franklin Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1987 : Aretha Franklin Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Jan 3 all-day Tickets Although born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 25, 1942, Aretha Franklin’s parents brought her to Detroit at an early age where she and her sister began singing in the gospel choir of her father’s church, … Continue reading "1987 : Aretha Franklin Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" 2018 : Phil Pearce Dies, Owner of Phil’s 550 Party Store in the UP 2018 : Phil Pearce Dies, Owner of Phil’s 550 Party Store in the UP Jan 3 all-day Tickets If you to traveled up to Marquette and met Phil Pearce, owner of Phil’s 550 party store, consider yourself lucky. He was a big personality, a character, a person worth knowing. Perhaps not one of … Continue reading "2018 : Phil Pearce Dies, Owner of Phil’s 550 Party Store in the UP" 2019 : Detroit Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib Sworn In, First Palestinian-American Member of Congress 2019 : Detroit Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib Sworn In, First Palestinian-American Member of Congress Jan 3 all-day Tickets When Rashida Tlaib stands on January 3 for her ceremonial swearing in as the first Palestinian-American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, it will be with her hand on a copy of … Continue reading "2019 : Detroit Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib Sworn In, First Palestinian-American Member of Congress"	4 1864 : Escaping Confederate Prisoners Pass Through Michigan on the Route to Freedom 1864 : Escaping Confederate Prisoners Pass Through Michigan on the Route to Freedom Jan 4 all-day Tickets The above illustration of Johnson’s Island was made by Edward Gould, Company B, 128th Ohio during the war. In the foreground is the U.S.S. Michigan. On the left is the fort’s wharf with a road … Continue reading "1864 : Escaping Confederate Prisoners Pass Through Michigan on the Route to Freedom" 1910 : 2nd USS Michigan Commissioned 1910 : 2nd USS Michigan Commissioned Jan 4 all-day Tickets The USS Michigan was laid down in December 1906; the hull was launched May 26, 1908; but the USS Michigan was not commissioned for active duty until January 4, 1910. The Michigan and its sister ship … Continue reading "1910 : 2nd USS Michigan Commissioned" 1910 : U.S.S. Michigan Commissioned 1910 : U.S.S. Michigan Commissioned Jan 4 all-day Tickets USS Michigan, a 16,000-ton South Carolina class battleship built at Camden, New Jersey, was commissioned on January 4, 1910, one of the first “battlewagons” built by the U.S. Navy. After initial operations along the Atlantic … Continue reading "1910 : U.S.S. Michigan Commissioned" 1918 : Production Begins at Ford’s River Rouge Plant 1918 : Production Begins at Ford’s River Rouge Plant Jan 4 all-day Tickets On January 4, 1918, production began at the historic Ford River Rouge plant. At the height of production in the 1930s, more than 100,000 people clocked in at “The Rouge” regularly. Operating such a massive … Continue reading "1918 : Production Begins at Ford’s River Rouge Plant" 1943 : Fran Harris First Woman To Broadcast News In Michigan 1943 : Fran Harris First Woman To Broadcast News In Michigan Jan 4 all-day Tickets On January 4, 1943, Fran Harris became the first woman to broadcast news in Michigan on WWJ radio in Detroit. In 1931, Fran Alvord Harris began a long and successful career in broadcast journalism when … Continue reading "1943 : Fran Harris First Woman To Broadcast News In Michigan" January 4, 1988 : Basil Brown Resigns from Michigan Senate January 4, 1988 : Basil Brown Resigns from Michigan Senate Jan 4 all-day Tickets Basil Brown, an African American Democrat from Highland Park and senior member of the Michigan State Senate, pleaded guilty before the Ingham County Circuit Court on December 1, 1987 to one charge of delivering cocaine and … Continue reading "January 4, 1988 : Basil Brown Resigns from Michigan Senate"	5 1861 : Amboy, Lansing and Traverse Bay Railroad Receives Federal Land Grant 1861 : Amboy, Lansing and Traverse Bay Railroad Receives Federal Land Grant Jan 5 all-day Tickets The Amboy, Lansing and Traverse Bay (ALTB) Railroad is a defunct railroad which operated in the state of Michigan during the 1850s and 1860s. Initially planned as an ambitious land grant railroad which would run … Continue reading "1861 : Amboy, Lansing and Traverse Bay Railroad Receives Federal Land Grant" 1870 : University of Michigan Board Votes to Allow Women to Attend Classes 1870 : University of Michigan Board Votes to Allow Women to Attend Classes Jan 5 all-day Tickets On January 5, 1870, the University of Michigan Board of Regents voted to allow women to attend their college. Source: Mich-Again’s Day. 1914 : Ford’s Factory Workers Salaries Raised to $5 A Day 1914 : Ford’s Factory Workers Salaries Raised to $5 A Day Jan 5 all-day Tickets On January 5, 1914, Henry Ford announced he was raising salaries to $5 a day for 8 hours of work, starting June 12. It was an effort to prevent turnover (close to 400% in 1913) … Continue reading "1914 : Ford’s Factory Workers Salaries Raised to $5 A Day" 1924 : The First Chrysler Debuts at New York Automobile Show 1924 : The First Chrysler Debuts at New York Automobile Show Jan 5 all-day Tickets The Chrysler Six, the first car to bear Walter Chrysler’s name, debuts at the New York Automobile Show. When Walter P. Chrysler presented the first car bearing his name as a trademark to the public … Continue reading "1924 : The First Chrysler Debuts at New York Automobile Show" 1988 : Last Train Pulls Out of Detroit’s Michigan Central Station 1988 : Last Train Pulls Out of Detroit’s Michigan Central Station Jan 5 all-day Tickets It was 27 years ago today that the final train pulled out of Michigan Central Station in Detroit. In the years that followed, the once-proud symbol of Detroit’s grandeur became one of its most notorious … Continue reading "1988 : Last Train Pulls Out of Detroit’s Michigan Central Station"	6 1824 : Thomas M. Cooley Born, Michigan Supreme Court Justice 1824 : Thomas M. Cooley Born, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Jan 6 all-day Tickets Thomas M. Cooley was born on January 6, 1824, in Attica, New York. He taught school in order to earn money to obtain his education. Cooley planned to continue his studies in Chicago, but during … Continue reading "1824 : Thomas M. Cooley Born, Michigan Supreme Court Justice" 1853 : Woodbridge N. Ferris Born, Future Michigan Governor 1853 : Woodbridge N. Ferris Born, Future Michigan Governor Jan 6 all-day Tickets Photo of Ferris taking the oath of office as Governor of Michigan, 1913. On January 6, 1853, Woodbridge N. Ferris, Michigan governor from 1913-1916, was born in Spencer, NY. As governor, Ferris advocated prohibition and … Continue reading "1853 : Woodbridge N. Ferris Born, Future Michigan Governor" 1863 : Emancipation Proclamation Celebrated at Detroit’s Second Baptist Church 1863 : Emancipation Proclamation Celebrated at Detroit’s Second Baptist Church Jan 6 all-day Tickets On Jan. 6, 1863, a celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation took place at Second Baptist Church in Detroit, the first African-American congregation established in Michigan. It included “speeches by white and black Negroes,” according to … Continue reading "1863 : Emancipation Proclamation Celebrated at Detroit’s Second Baptist Church" 1912 : Muzyad Yakhoob (Danny Thomas) Born in Deerfield 1912 : Muzyad Yakhoob (Danny Thomas) Born in Deerfield Jan 6 all-day Tickets On January 6, 1912 a Deerfield, Michigan horse farmer named Shaheed Yakhoob (later Jacobs) and his wife Margaret, welcomed a new child into the world. The Jacobs, Lebanese immigrants, named their baby Muzyad. Years later … Continue reading "1912 : Muzyad Yakhoob (Danny Thomas) Born in Deerfield" 1914 : Calumet Colosseum Opens 1914 : Calumet Colosseum Opens Jan 6 all-day Tickets Calumet Colosseum is marking its 100th anniversary with a hockey game between the teams that started it all back in 1914. The Calumet Wolverines and Portage Lake Pioneers will skate against each other on Monday … Continue reading "1914 : Calumet Colosseum Opens" 1925 : Paavo Nurmi Sets Indoor World Record for Mile and 5000 Meter 1925 : Paavo Nurmi Sets Indoor World Record for Mile and 5000 Meter Jan 6 all-day Tickets Nurmi with President Calvin Coolidge during his 1925 U.S. tour On this day in 1838 Samuel Morse gave a public demonstration of the telegraph for the first time. However, students at Finlandia University might be … Continue reading "1925 : Paavo Nurmi Sets Indoor World Record for Mile and 5000 Meter" 1994 : Nancy Kerrigan Assaulted at Joe Louis Arena 1994 : Nancy Kerrigan Assaulted at Joe Louis Arena Jan 6 all-day Tickets Kerrigan and Harding in Lillehammer On January 6, 1994, the United State Figure Skating Championships, taking place at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, were marred by violence and scandal as Nancy Kerrigan was hit on … Continue reading "1994 : Nancy Kerrigan Assaulted at Joe Louis Arena" 2014 : 6th Closure at MSU Due to Snow, Cold, or A Combination 2014 : 6th Closure at MSU Due to Snow, Cold, or A Combination Jan 6 all-day Tickets January 6-7, 2014 Between 12-15 inches of snow fell on January 5-6, 2014, causing hazardous driving conditions and closing MSU for the 6th time in its history on January 6-7 (Monday and Tuesday). Actually it … Continue reading "2014 : 6th Closure at MSU Due to Snow, Cold, or A Combination" 2023 : Jocelyn Benson Receives Presidential Medal 2023 : Jocelyn Benson Receives Presidential Medal Jan 6 all-day Tickets Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Friday will receive the Presidential Citizens Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, for her role in overseeing the 2020 election and defending it against efforts to … Continue reading "2023 : Jocelyn Benson Receives Presidential Medal"	7 1832: Michigan’s First Curling Club Established 1832: Michigan’s First Curling Club Established Jan 7 all-day Tickets Peter Dow curling on Orchard Lake. Circa 1915. Note the small stones. Perhaps they are “irons. According to legend, the Orchard Lake Scotsmen formed Michigan’s first curling club in 1831 and played their first match … Continue reading "1832: Michigan’s First Curling Club Established" 1840 : William Woodbridge Becomes Michigan’s Second Governor 1840 : William Woodbridge Becomes Michigan’s Second Governor Jan 7 all-day Tickets Portrait of William Woodbridge by Henry Inman located in Michigan Historical Museum The Connecticut-born lawyer, who was a Whig, moved to Ohio, where he was a state representative, a county prosecutor and a state senator. … Continue reading "1840 : William Woodbridge Becomes Michigan’s Second Governor" 1929 : First Nonstop Detroit-to-Miami Flight 1929 : First Nonstop Detroit-to-Miami Flight Jan 7 all-day Tickets Detroit businessman Edward F. Schlee and his co-pilot, William S. Brock made the first nonstop Detroit-to-Miami flight on January 7, 1929, finishing in nine hours and 20 minutes. As Schlee and Brock were winging their … Continue reading "1929 : First Nonstop Detroit-to-Miami Flight" 1936: Flint Sit-Down Strike Heats Up 1936: Flint Sit-Down Strike Heats Up Jan 7 all-day Tickets On January 7, 1936, across the street from Flint’s Chevrolet’s Plant 9 at West Kearsley and Asylum streets, police arrested two men after what The Flint Journal reported was a “pitched battle” there. For more … Continue reading "1936: Flint Sit-Down Strike Heats Up" 1950 : Chevy Introduces First Automatic Transmission Engines 1950 : Chevy Introduces First Automatic Transmission Engines Jan 7 all-day Tickets On January 7, 1950, Chevrolet introduced the “Powerglide”, the first automatic transmission available in an affordably-priced car. Although many drivers clung to their beloved manual transmissions, much of the public greeted the new ” Powerglide” … Continue reading "1950 : Chevy Introduces First Automatic Transmission Engines" 1971 : B52 Narrowly Misses Big Rock Park Nuclear Plant 1971 : B52 Narrowly Misses Big Rock Park Nuclear Plant Jan 7 all-day Tickets On January 7, 1971, an unarmed B52 bomber narrowly missed the Big Rock Park nuclear plant near Charlevoix when it crashed into Lake Michigan. Source : Pasty Central Day in History. 2015 : President Obama Visits Wayne County to Praise Auto Industry, Detroit Recovery 2015 : President Obama Visits Wayne County to Praise Auto Industry, Detroit Recovery Jan 7 all-day Tickets President Barack Obama on Wednesday hailed the resurgence of the auto industry and Detroit’s comeback from bankruptcy in a speech that paid tribute to the Motor City and offered a preview to his upcoming State … Continue reading "2015 : President Obama Visits Wayne County to Praise Auto Industry, Detroit Recovery" 2020 : Former MSU Football Coach George Perles Dies 2020 : Former MSU Football Coach George Perles Dies Jan 7 all-day Tickets Perles was born July 16, 1934, on Detroit’s west side and was a football and baseball star at Detroit Western. He earned all-state football honors as a junior and senior and graduated in 1953, then briefly … Continue reading "2020 : Former MSU Football Coach George Perles Dies"
8 1831 : Mail Begins Arriving Daily in Detroit From the East 1831 : Mail Begins Arriving Daily in Detroit From the East Jan 8 all-day Tickets On January 8, 1831, mail started arriving in Detroit from the East on a daily basis but it still took fourteen days and nights to receive a letter from New York. The arrival of daily … Continue reading "1831 : Mail Begins Arriving Daily in Detroit From the East" 1838 : Invasion of Canada Thwarted by Michigan Governor Mason 1838 : Invasion of Canada Thwarted by Michigan Governor Mason Jan 8 all-day Tickets Governor Stevens T. Mason called out the state militia to keep the Patriots, Canadian rebels, from using Michigan as a base to attack the British government in Canada. Patriot sympathizers had raided the arsenal in … Continue reading "1838 : Invasion of Canada Thwarted by Michigan Governor Mason" 1856 : Michigan Dental Association Formed 1856 : Michigan Dental Association Formed Jan 8 all-day Tickets On January 8, 1856, the Michigan Dental Association was organized in Detroit. At the time, dentists received no formal training. So to become a member, a person had to be 21 years old, a practicing … Continue reading "1856 : Michigan Dental Association Formed" 1926 : Milton Supman (Soupy Sales) Born 1926 : Milton Supman (Soupy Sales) Born Jan 8 all-day Tickets Milton Supman (January 8, 1926 – October 22, 2009), known professionally as Soupy Sales, was an American comedian, actor, radio/television personality, and jazz aficionado. He was best known for his local and network children’s television … Continue reading "1926 : Milton Supman (Soupy Sales) Born" 1994 : Tanya Harding Wins U.S. Figure Skating Championship in Detroit 1994 : Tanya Harding Wins U.S. Figure Skating Championship in Detroit Jan 8 all-day Tickets Tonya Harding won the Ladies’ U.S. Figure Skating Championship at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, a day after Nancy Kerrigan dropped out because of the clubbing attack that had injured her right knee. … Continue reading "1994 : Tanya Harding Wins U.S. Figure Skating Championship in Detroit" 1997 : Women Form Majority on Michigan Supreme Court 1997 : Women Form Majority on Michigan Supreme Court Jan 8 all-day Tickets With the investiture of Marilyn Kelly, women comprised a majority of Michigan’s 7-justice Supreme Court for the first time in history. The other women justices were Patricia Boyle, Dorothy Comstock-Riley and Elizabeth Weaver. Swearing-In Ceremony … Continue reading "1997 : Women Form Majority on Michigan Supreme Court"	9 1862 : Battery F, First Michigan Light Artillery, Mustered into Service 1862 : Battery F, First Michigan Light Artillery, Mustered into Service Jan 9 all-day Tickets On January 9, 1862, Battery F, First Michigan Light Artillery, was mustered into federal service at Coldwater. Battery F left the state for Kentucky on March 3, 1862. After months of service in Kentucky, the … Continue reading "1862 : Battery F, First Michigan Light Artillery, Mustered into Service" 1886 : Detroit Free Press Has Article About Global Warming 1886 : Detroit Free Press Has Article About Global Warming Jan 9 all-day Tickets Believe it or not, but the January 9, 1886 Detroit Free Press had an article about “Winters Getting Milder” on page six. The culprit : steam heat and steam vapors rising from every house. Source … Continue reading "1886 : Detroit Free Press Has Article About Global Warming" 1901 : Governor Pingree Gives Farewell Address 1901 : Governor Pingree Gives Farewell Address Jan 9 all-day Tickets On January 9, 1901, Governor Hazen Pingree, in his final message to the Legislature, wrote that it was the body’s “special privilege and duty to bring the so-called ‘merchant princes and captains of industry’ in … Continue reading "1901 : Governor Pingree Gives Farewell Address" 1973 : Marquette Airport Fined For Failing to Comply With FAA Anti-Hijack Program 1973 : Marquette Airport Fined For Failing to Comply With FAA Anti-Hijack Program Jan 9 all-day Tickets On January 9, 1973, the federal government fined the Marquette Airport, along with only three others throughout the rest of the country, for failing to comply with a mandated Federal Aviation Administration anti-hijack program. Faced … Continue reading "1973 : Marquette Airport Fined For Failing to Comply With FAA Anti-Hijack Program" 1996 : House Republican Task Force on Higher Education Wants State Universities to Create More Equitable Funding 1996 : House Republican Task Force on Higher Education Wants State Universities to Create More Equitable Funding Jan 9 all-day Tickets On January 9, 1996, a House Republican task force on Higher Education called on Michigan’s 15 public universities to set up a “more equitable” funding formula, allowing students to receive degrees in four years at … Continue reading "1996 : House Republican Task Force on Higher Education Wants State Universities to Create More Equitable Funding" 2001 : President Clinton Visits Michigan State University, Receives Basketball Jersey At Breslin Center 2001 : President Clinton Visits Michigan State University, Receives Basketball Jersey At Breslin Center Jan 9 all-day Tickets On January 9, 2001, President William Jefferson Clinton began a final national tour with an appearance at the Breslin Center on the Michigan State University campus. Prior to his 1992 election and throughout his tenure, … Continue reading "2001 : President Clinton Visits Michigan State University, Receives Basketball Jersey At Breslin Center" 2009: Gran Torino Released 2009: Gran Torino Released Jan 9 all-day Tickets On January 9, 2009, the feature film “Gran Torino,” starring Clint Eastwood and shot in Highland Park and other locales around Metro Detroit, was released in theatres across the country. Gran Torino / Warner Bros. … Continue reading "2009: Gran Torino Released"	10 1851 : Ulysses S Grant Sues Over Lack of Snow Removal 1851 : Ulysses S Grant Sues Over Lack of Snow Removal Jan 10 all-day Tickets Before being elected as president of the United States, and before becoming a General in the Union Army against the Confederates in the Civil War, young Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant served as a quartermaster living … Continue reading "1851 : Ulysses S Grant Sues Over Lack of Snow Removal" 1872 : Michigan’s first Grange, the Burnside Grange, organized at Lapeer County 1872 : Michigan’s first Grange, the Burnside Grange, organized at Lapeer County Jan 10 all-day Tickets On January 10, 1872, Michigan’s first Grange, the Burnside Grange, organized at Lapeer County. By 1875, six-hundred local Granges had formed throughout Michigan and, though the first formed for educational and social purposes, they became … Continue reading "1872 : Michigan’s first Grange, the Burnside Grange, organized at Lapeer County" 1964: William Clay Ford Buys Detroit Lions Franchise 1964: William Clay Ford Buys Detroit Lions Franchise Jan 10 all-day Tickets William Clay Ford took control of the Detroit Lions on January 10, 1964. Ford, one of Henry Ford’s grandchildren, paid $4.5 million for the football team on what turned out to be the same day … Continue reading "1964: William Clay Ford Buys Detroit Lions Franchise" 1974 : Senator Charles Youngbook Resigns from Michigan Legislature 1974 : Senator Charles Youngbook Resigns from Michigan Legislature Jan 10 all-day Tickets Detroit Democrat Charles Youngblood was convicted of conspiracy to bribe a public official over a liquor license for a supermarket chain. When his fellow Democrats said they would vote to expel him in 1974, he … Continue reading "1974 : Senator Charles Youngbook Resigns from Michigan Legislature" 2000 : Calvin College Hosts Leading Republican Presidential Candidates 2000 : Calvin College Hosts Leading Republican Presidential Candidates Jan 10 all-day Tickets On January 10, 2000, Grand Rapids was center stage on the nation’s political front as Republican Presidential candidates met for a televised debate at Calvin College. The candidates included Texas Gov. George W. Bush, Arizona … Continue reading "2000 : Calvin College Hosts Leading Republican Presidential Candidates" 2012 : Steve Perry Explains “South Detroit” Reference 2012 : Steve Perry Explains “South Detroit” Reference Jan 10 all-day Tickets Reached at home in San Diego, former Journey frontman Steve Perry admitted for the first time that he totally made up the geographic locale of “South Detroit.” The world’s all-time most-downloaded mp3 has inspired confusion … Continue reading "2012 : Steve Perry Explains “South Detroit” Reference" 2016 : Ralph Hauenstein Dies, WWII Military Hero, Businessman, Philanthropist, and Goldfish Cracker Maker 2016 : Ralph Hauenstein Dies, WWII Military Hero, Businessman, Philanthropist, and Goldfish Cracker Maker Jan 10 all-day Tickets After seeing the devastation of war and knowing Europe would need rebuilding, the late Ralph Hauenstein decided to go into the export business, but he had no idea what he would export. With the help … Continue reading "2016 : Ralph Hauenstein Dies, WWII Military Hero, Businessman, Philanthropist, and Goldfish Cracker Maker" 2018 : MelCat’s Birthday Anniversary 2018 : MelCat’s Birthday Anniversary Jan 10 all-day Tickets It’s hard to believe but MeLCat is now 13 years old! The first successful patron request was placed on January 10, 2005 at 12:41pm when a West Bloomfield patron requested Alice Starmore’s “The Celtic collection: … Continue reading "2018 : MelCat’s Birthday Anniversary" 2020: Rep. Larry Inman (Williamsburg, MI) Escapes Recall Initiative 2020: Rep. Larry Inman (Williamsburg, MI) Escapes Recall Initiative Jan 10 all-day Tickets In a staff report, the Bureau of Elections once again concluded the Recall Inman Committee did not collect the 12,201 signatures needed to recall Inman, R-Williamsburg, who last year was accused of trying to sell … Continue reading "2020: Rep. Larry Inman (Williamsburg, MI) Escapes Recall Initiative"	11 1805 : Michigan Designated a Territory 1805 : Michigan Designated a Territory Jan 11 all-day Tickets On January 11, 1805, President Thomas Jefferson signed an act establishing the Michigan Territory. When Ohio became a state in 1803, the present-day state of Michigan became part of the Indiana Territory. Since the territorial … Continue reading "1805 : Michigan Designated a Territory" 1945 : Michigan State Senator Assassinated Before Testifying About Legislative Bribes 1945 : Michigan State Senator Assassinated Before Testifying About Legislative Bribes Jan 11 all-day Tickets On Jan. 11, 1945, Sen. Warren G. Hooper was assassinated only after two weeks in office as a senator. A passer-by happened upon Hooper’s burning Sedan on a rural road near Springport. Inside the vehicle, … Continue reading "1945 : Michigan State Senator Assassinated Before Testifying About Legislative Bribes" 1955 : Smog Mentioned As Unpleasant Side Effect of Automobile Traffic 1955 : Smog Mentioned As Unpleasant Side Effect of Automobile Traffic Jan 11 all-day Tickets On January 11, 1955, a presentation at the Society of Automotive Engineers in Detroit advanced an unpleasant theory about automobiles. A team of scientists gave the engineers something to think about when they said tests … Continue reading "1955 : Smog Mentioned As Unpleasant Side Effect of Automobile Traffic" 1960 : Legislative Reform Committee Proposes Abolishing Michigan Senate 1960 : Legislative Reform Committee Proposes Abolishing Michigan Senate Jan 11 all-day Tickets Attempts to weaken the opposing political party’s power are nothing new in Michigan. On Jan. 11, 1960, Michigan Democratic leaders proposed a plan to abolish the state Senate. These recommendations were proposed by a Legislative … Continue reading "1960 : Legislative Reform Committee Proposes Abolishing Michigan Senate" 1987 : Bailey Sisoy Isgro Born, Detroit History Tours Founder 1987 : Bailey Sisoy Isgro Born, Detroit History Tours Founder Jan 11 all-day Tickets Bailey Sisoy Isgro sits at the parlor table in her home, which she’s renovating for her business, Detroit History Tours. On January 11, 1987, somewhere in what is now Hutzel Women’s Hospital, Bailey Sisoy Isgro … Continue reading "1987 : Bailey Sisoy Isgro Born, Detroit History Tours Founder" 1987 : Motor City Madam Dies 1987 : Motor City Madam Dies Jan 11 all-day Tickets Helen McGowan published her memoir, “Motor City Madam,” in 1964. On January 11, 1987, somewhere in what is now Hutzel Women’s Hospital, a woman once known as Detroit’s top madam died from complications of a … Continue reading "1987 : Motor City Madam Dies" 1988 : Beaumont Doctor Delivers 1st Test-Tube Qunituplets 1988 : Beaumont Doctor Delivers 1st Test-Tube Qunituplets Jan 11 all-day Tickets Dr. Lenny Hutton had been in practice for four years in 1987 when the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) program at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak referred a 34-year-old woman expecting quintuplets—make that America’s first test-tube quintuplets. … Continue reading "1988 : Beaumont Doctor Delivers 1st Test-Tube Qunituplets" 2017 : State Police Get 100th Anniversary Commemorative Cars 2017 : State Police Get 100th Anniversary Commemorative Cars Jan 11 all-day Tickets To mark the 100th anniversary of the Department of State Police, starting Wednesday, 50 special edition black and gold patrol cars joined the department’s patrol fleet. The 2016 Dodge Chargers are painted to look like … Continue reading "2017 : State Police Get 100th Anniversary Commemorative Cars" 2018 : Michigan Celebrates Milk Day 2018 : Michigan Celebrates Milk Day Jan 11 all-day Tickets As January 11th is ‘Milk Day,’ here’s a few MI milk facts. Over 97% of all dairy farms here are family owned with an average herd has about 176 cows. The typical Michigan cow will … Continue reading "2018 : Michigan Celebrates Milk Day" 2019 : Former MSU Basketball Coach Gus Ganakas Dies 2019 : Former MSU Basketball Coach Gus Ganakas Dies Jan 11 all-day Tickets Gus Ganakas, former MSU basketball coach, died today at the age of 92. One of MSU’s all time great athletic ambassadors. Ganakas was the head coach for the Spartans from 1969-76. His best season with … Continue reading "2019 : Former MSU Basketball Coach Gus Ganakas Dies" 2020 : Open Carry of Guns Banned in Michigan Capitol 2020 : Open Carry of Guns Banned in Michigan Capitol Jan 11 all-day Tickets Monday the Michigan State Capitol Commission revisited the issue of whether or not to ban the open carry of firearms inside the Capitol building, voting this time in favor of the ban. The question was … Continue reading "2020 : Open Carry of Guns Banned in Michigan Capitol"	12 1835 : Territorial Governor Stevens T. Mason Urges Legislative Council to Call A Constitutional Convention 1835 : Territorial Governor Stevens T. Mason Urges Legislative Council to Call A Constitutional Convention Jan 12 all-day Tickets On January 12, 1835, Mr. Mason, then the 23-year-old territorial governor, addressed the territory’s legislative council and urged them to call a constitutional convention. Michigan was facing a crisis, Mr. Mason said. It had officially … Continue reading "1835 : Territorial Governor Stevens T. Mason Urges Legislative Council to Call A Constitutional Convention" 1863 : Company K of the First Michigan Sharpshooters Mustered into Service 1863 : Company K of the First Michigan Sharpshooters Mustered into Service Jan 12 all-day Tickets Company K of the First Michigan Sharpshooters was recruited by Garrett G. Gravaraet of Little Traverse, a talented musician, teacher, and artist. He was himself of mixed Chippewa Blood and the enlisted men of his … Continue reading "1863 : Company K of the First Michigan Sharpshooters Mustered into Service" 1878 : First Women’s Edition of Detroit Free Press 1878 : First Women’s Edition of Detroit Free Press Jan 12 all-day Tickets On January 12, 1878, the first women’s edition of the Detroit Free Press, called the “Household”, rolled off the presses. Sources; Michigan History, January-Febrary 2016. Clarence Monroe Burton, William Stocking, Gordon K. Miller, The City … Continue reading "1878 : First Women’s Edition of Detroit Free Press" 1899 : Hiram Walker Dies, Distiller and Philanthropist 1899 : Hiram Walker Dies, Distiller and Philanthropist Jan 12 all-day Tickets Many Michiganders have had the pleasure of visiting a Jim Beam or Jack Daniels distillery while on vacation in Kentucky and Tennessee. Those with passports might consider crossing the river from Detroit to visit the … Continue reading "1899 : Hiram Walker Dies, Distiller and Philanthropist" 1959 : Berry Gordy Jr. Founds Motown 1959 : Berry Gordy Jr. Founds Motown Jan 12 all-day Tickets On this day, Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records (originally Tamla Records) in Detroit. Perhaps no other record label in America’s music history performed a more significant role in fashioning Rhythm and Blues’ assimilation into … Continue reading "1959 : Berry Gordy Jr. Founds Motown" 2014 : New Michigan Flathead Catfish Record 2014 : New Michigan Flathead Catfish Record Jan 12 all-day Tickets It took less than two years for a state angler to break the record for a catfish caught. Dale Blakley and his fish The new state record flathead catfish was caught on Jan. 12 by … Continue reading "2014 : New Michigan Flathead Catfish Record" 2022 : Douglas Kelley Dies, Inspired Idea for Peace Corps 2022 : Douglas Kelley Dies, Inspired Idea for Peace Corps Jan 12 all-day Tickets Douglas Kelley, a Lansing native and Michigan State University alumnus, was in his 20s when he conceived of and piloted the International Development Placement Association, a concept that would later become the Peace Corps. That was just … Continue reading "2022 : Douglas Kelley Dies, Inspired Idea for Peace Corps"	13 1854 : First White Settler in Ontonagon 1854 : First White Settler in Ontonagon Jan 13 all-day Tickets On January 13, 1854, Jim Paul registered a plat of land that would become Ontonagon. Paul was the first white man to settle in that region of the Upper Peninsula. He was after prosperity in … Continue reading "1854 : First White Settler in Ontonagon" 1862 : Governor Austin Blair Lobbies for Prisoner Exchange to Liberate Colonel Orlando Willcox, Hero of the First Battle of Bull Run 1862 : Governor Austin Blair Lobbies for Prisoner Exchange to Liberate Colonel Orlando Willcox, Hero of the First Battle of Bull Run Jan 13 all-day Tickets Orlando Willcox, Hero of the First Battle of Bull Run On January13, 1862, Gov. Austin Blair approved a joint resolution asking Michigan’s congressional delegation to use their influence to assist the exchange of prisoners of … Continue reading "1862 : Governor Austin Blair Lobbies for Prisoner Exchange to Liberate Colonel Orlando Willcox, Hero of the First Battle of Bull Run" 1875 : Rix Robinson Dies, Fur Trader, Michigan Pioneer, Friend of the Indian 1875 : Rix Robinson Dies, Fur Trader, Michigan Pioneer, Friend of the Indian Jan 13 all-day Tickets On this day (January 13, 1875), Michigan pioneer Rix Robinson died in Ada, Michigan, where a huge boulder bears testimony to his life. In Memory of Rix Robinson Born in Mass, 1792 Founder of West Michigan … Continue reading "1875 : Rix Robinson Dies, Fur Trader, Michigan Pioneer, Friend of the Indian" 1993 : Michigan House Elects Co-Speakers 1993 : Michigan House Elects Co-Speakers Jan 13 all-day Tickets On January 13, 1993, state Reps. Curtis Hertel (D-Detroit) and Paul Hillegonds (R-Holland) were unanimously elected co-speakers of the Michigan House. They represented constituencies on opposite sides of the state and didn’t know each … Continue reading "1993 : Michigan House Elects Co-Speakers"	14 1856 : First President of the Michigan Agricultural College Appointed 1856 : First President of the Michigan Agricultural College Appointed Jan 14 all-day Tickets Joseph R. Williams was appointed the first president of the newly created Agricultural College. After strong lobbying by the Michigan State Agricultural Society, the Michigan Agricultural College was created on February 12, 1855. Joseph R. … Continue reading "1856 : First President of the Michigan Agricultural College Appointed" 1913: Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson Arrested in Battle Creek 1913: Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson Arrested in Battle Creek Jan 14 all-day Tickets Jack Johnson, the flamboyant boxer who became the first African-American heavyweight champion at the height of the Jim Crow era in 1908, was granted a rare posthumous pardon by President Donald Trump on Thursday. Trump was joined … Continue reading "1913: Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson Arrested in Battle Creek" 1914 : Dudley Randall Born, African American Poet and Founder of Broadside Press in Detroit 1914 : Dudley Randall Born, African American Poet and Founder of Broadside Press in Detroit Jan 14 all-day Tickets Born on this day, Dudley Randall was a famous African-American poet and poetry publisher from Detroit, Michigan. He founded a pioneering publishing company called Broadside Press in 1965, which published many leading African-American writers, among … Continue reading "1914 : Dudley Randall Born, African American Poet and Founder of Broadside Press in Detroit" 1944 : Emanuel Parker, First Black Hired at Fisher Body in Lansing, Reports to Work 1944 : Emanuel Parker, First Black Hired at Fisher Body in Lansing, Reports to Work Jan 14 all-day Tickets In 1943, the president of Local 602 presses GM to open Fisher Body hiring to blacks, and the automaker agrees. Emanuel Parker is the first black hired; he reports to work Jan. 14, 1944, according … Continue reading "1944 : Emanuel Parker, First Black Hired at Fisher Body in Lansing, Reports to Work"
15 1818 : Macomb County Named after General Alexander MaComb 1818 : Macomb County Named after General Alexander MaComb Jan 15 all-day Tickets Macomb County was the third county created in the Michigan territory — the first being Wayne County followed by Monroe County. In 1819 and 1820 portions of the county were removed to form the counties … Continue reading "1818 : Macomb County Named after General Alexander MaComb" 1890 : Hazen S. Pingree Becomes Detroit’s Mayor 1890 : Hazen S. Pingree Becomes Detroit’s Mayor Jan 15 all-day Tickets Hazen S. Pingree took office on January 15, 1890, and would embark on a career that would earn him the nickname “the Idol of the People.” But don’t take our word on his greatness: Pingree … Continue reading "1890 : Hazen S. Pingree Becomes Detroit’s Mayor" 1919 : First All-Woman Jury in Michigan 1919 : First All-Woman Jury in Michigan Jan 15 all-day Tickets When all-male juries twice were unable to determine the guilt or innocence of a Flint man charged with being intoxicated, the judge, defense attorney and prosecutor agreed to pick Michigan’s first all-woman jury. The six … Continue reading "1919 : First All-Woman Jury in Michigan" 1936 : Ford Foundation Established 1936 : Ford Foundation Established Jan 15 all-day Tickets On January 15, 1936, Edsel Ford started the Ford Foundation. During its early years, the foundation operated in Michigan under the leadership of Ford family members and their associates, and supported such organizations as the … Continue reading "1936 : Ford Foundation Established" 1954 : MSU Launches WKAR Public Television Station 1954 : MSU Launches WKAR Public Television Station Jan 15 all-day Tickets On this day in 1954, Michigan State University launched a public television station, the third in the country. One of the first two has since folded, making WKAR the second oldest continually operating public television … Continue reading "1954 : MSU Launches WKAR Public Television Station" 1968 : Detroit Soldier Wins Congressional Medal of Honor During Vietnam War 1968 : Detroit Soldier Wins Congressional Medal of Honor During Vietnam War Jan 15 all-day Tickets On Jan. 15, 1968, Sgt. Dwight H. Johnson of Detroit earned the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. From the citation: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above … Continue reading "1968 : Detroit Soldier Wins Congressional Medal of Honor During Vietnam War" 1973 : Law Classes Begin at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing 1973 : Law Classes Begin at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing Jan 15 all-day Tickets With 76 students enrolled, Michigan’s 5th law school — and the only one outside Detroit or Ann Arbor — began classes on Monday night, January 15, 1973. It’s name honors a Michigan Supreme Court Justice … Continue reading "1973 : Law Classes Begin at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing" 1993 : Detroit News Uncovers Corruption in House Fiscal Agency 1993 : Detroit News Uncovers Corruption in House Fiscal Agency Jan 15 all-day Tickets On January 15, 1993, a front-page Detroit News article began to unravel an extensive legislative corruption scandal that led to felony convictions for 10 people, including a lawmaker from the Upper Peninsula. That Detroit News … Continue reading "1993 : Detroit News Uncovers Corruption in House Fiscal Agency" 2012 : Kriste Kibbey Etue Appointed Head of Michigan State Police 2012 : Kriste Kibbey Etue Appointed Head of Michigan State Police Jan 15 all-day Tickets In January 2012, Kriste Kibbey Etue became the first female head of the Michigan State Police. Kriste Kibbey Etue grew up listening to her dad’s stories about his Michigan State Police narcotics investigations, and she … Continue reading "2012 : Kriste Kibbey Etue Appointed Head of Michigan State Police" 2018 : Fadwa Hammoud Appointed Michigan Solicitor General, First Arab American and Muslim in the U.S.A. 2018 : Fadwa Hammoud Appointed Michigan Solicitor General, First Arab American and Muslim in the U.S.A. Jan 15 all-day Tickets Fadwa A. Hammoud, a resident of Dearborn, Michigan was appointed as Michigan’s Solicitor General by Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel on January 15, 2019, becoming the first Arab American and Muslim Solicitor General in the … Continue reading "2018 : Fadwa Hammoud Appointed Michigan Solicitor General, First Arab American and Muslim in the U.S.A."	16 1937 : Martin Blanche Born, 1st African American MSU Board of Trustees Member 1937 : Martin Blanche Born, 1st African American MSU Board of Trustees Member Jan 16 all-day Tickets Born January 16, 1937 Blanche Martin was an academic all-American MSU football running back (1956-1959). The 1957 Spartan Football team were national champions, one of six seasons in the team’s history in which they held … Continue reading "1937 : Martin Blanche Born, 1st African American MSU Board of Trustees Member" 1938 : Caberfae Ski Resort Opens 1938 : Caberfae Ski Resort Opens Jan 16 all-day Tickets Snow trains brought hundreds of ski enthusiasts to the opening of the Caberfae Ski Resourt in 1938. Caberfae, whose name comes from the Gaelic word meaning stag’s head, was started as a joint … Continue reading "1938 : Caberfae Ski Resort Opens" 1955 : Jerry Linenger Born, Flight Surgeon, Astronaut 1955 : Jerry Linenger Born, Flight Surgeon, Astronaut Jan 16 all-day Tickets On this day in 1955, Eastpointe, MI native Capt. Jerry M. Linenger (USN, Ret.) was born. Captain Linenger received a bachelor of science degree in bioscience from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1977; a doctorate … Continue reading "1955 : Jerry Linenger Born, Flight Surgeon, Astronaut" 2017 : PBS and Detroit Public TV are launching a new 24/7 PBS KIDS channel 2017 : PBS and Detroit Public TV are launching a new 24/7 PBS KIDS channel Jan 16 all-day Tickets Recognizing that most PBS KIDS programming airs at times when kids are in pre-school and not in “peak kids media-viewing hours” of 5p-9p, PBS and Detroit Public TV are launching a new 24/7 PBS KIDS … Continue reading "2017 : PBS and Detroit Public TV are launching a new 24/7 PBS KIDS channel" 2018 : Meteor Spotted in Southwest Michigan 2018 : Meteor Spotted in Southwest Michigan Jan 16 all-day Tickets Did you see a bright light, or hear what sounded like thunder Tuesday night just after 8pm? Experts are saying that was a meteor. The American Meteor Society received hundreds reports of a fireball … Continue reading "2018 : Meteor Spotted in Southwest Michigan" 2018: Broomball Season Underway At Michigan Tech 2018: Broomball Season Underway At Michigan Tech Jan 16 all-day Tickets Broomball is so popular at Michigan Tech that it now features its own newspaper, The Broomball Blitz! Here’s an article from the first edition explaining the phenomenon. If you’ve never been to Tech in the … Continue reading "2018: Broomball Season Underway At Michigan Tech"	17 1862 : Battery G, First Michigan Light Artillery, Mustered Into Service 1862 : Battery G, First Michigan Light Artillery, Mustered Into Service Jan 17 all-day Tickets On January 17, 1862, Battery G, First Michigan Light Artillery, is mustered into federal service at Kalamazoo. Recruited in Branch County , Battery G had an enrollment of 145 officers and men when it left … Continue reading "1862 : Battery G, First Michigan Light Artillery, Mustered Into Service" 1899 : First Michigan Woman To Be Honored With Military Funeral 1899 : First Michigan Woman To Be Honored With Military Funeral Jan 17 all-day Tickets On January 17, 1899, the first military funeral for a woman in Michigan occurred when Ellen May Tower, a Byron native and a veteran of the Spanish-American War, received one. The daughter of a Civil … Continue reading "1899 : First Michigan Woman To Be Honored With Military Funeral" 1911 : Little Girl Wins MAC Corn Show, Awarded a New Reo Motor Co. Car! 1911 : Little Girl Wins MAC Corn Show, Awarded a New Reo Motor Co. Car! Jan 17 all-day Tickets The Little Girl That Won the Car >> In 1910 the REO Motor Company of Lansing, Michigan offered a touring car to the young farmer under 20 who could raise the best corn in the … Continue reading "1911 : Little Girl Wins MAC Corn Show, Awarded a New Reo Motor Co. Car!" 1931 : James Earl Jones Born, Grew Up in Michigan 1931 : James Earl Jones Born, Grew Up in Michigan Jan 17 all-day Tickets Award-winning actor and voice of CNN James Earl Jones, who grew up in Dublin, Manistee County, was born on Jan. 17, 1931. In 1936, when Jones was just five, his grandfather set out to move … Continue reading "1931 : James Earl Jones Born, Grew Up in Michigan" 1939 : Frank Murphy Becomes U.S. Attorney General 1939 : Frank Murphy Becomes U.S. Attorney General Jan 17 all-day Tickets Courtesy of University of Michigan Bentley Library. On January 17, 1939, Frank Murphy, the former judge, Detroit mayor, and Michigan’s first Catholic governor, became attorney general in the cabinet of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. President … Continue reading "1939 : Frank Murphy Becomes U.S. Attorney General" 1942 : Mohammed Ali Born 1942 : Mohammed Ali Born Jan 17 all-day Tickets Muhammad Ali is many things to many people. To some, he is the former heavyweight champion of the world whose boxing matches with the likes of Joe Frazier and George Foreman represented the high-water mark … Continue reading "1942 : Mohammed Ali Born" 1962 : Dan Gilbert Born, Richest Man in Michigan 1962 : Dan Gilbert Born, Richest Man in Michigan Jan 17 all-day Tickets Who is Michigan’s richest person? As of 2021, it’s Dan Gilbert. Last year he was only worth a mere 7½ billion dollars. This year, it’s over 50 billion. So who is Dan Gilbert? Born on … Continue reading "1962 : Dan Gilbert Born, Richest Man in Michigan" 1971 : Kid Rock Born in Romeo, Michigan 1971 : Kid Rock Born in Romeo, Michigan Jan 17 all-day Tickets Robert James “Bob” Ritchie was born on January 17, 1971 in Romeo, Michigan to William “Bill” Ritchie, a car dealer who owned several local dealerships, and Susan Ritchie. He attended Romeo High School. His family … Continue reading "1971 : Kid Rock Born in Romeo, Michigan" 1983 : Hudson Department Store’s Last Day in Downtown Detroit 1983 : Hudson Department Store’s Last Day in Downtown Detroit Jan 17 all-day Tickets January 17, 1983 was the last business day for downtown Detroit’s J.L. Hudson Department Store. The building at 1206 Woodward stood 25 stories tall and took up an entire city block, fronting on Woodward, Gratiot, … Continue reading "1983 : Hudson Department Store’s Last Day in Downtown Detroit" 2013 : Gerald Ford Presidential Library and Museum Hires Wikipedian in Residence 2013 : Gerald Ford Presidential Library and Museum Hires Wikipedian in Residence Jan 17 all-day Tickets Gerald R. Ford may have governed during a time of economic stagnation, but his library has just laid claim to a cutting-edge distinction: becoming the first presidential depository to employ an official “Wikipedian in residence.” … Continue reading "2013 : Gerald Ford Presidential Library and Museum Hires Wikipedian in Residence" 2017 : Night photo of Detroit and Surrounding Areas Taken from Space 2017 : Night photo of Detroit and Surrounding Areas Taken from Space Jan 17 all-day Tickets Twitter photo from Shane Kimbrough, USA Astronaut currently serving on the International Space Station, January 17, 2017. Can you pick out Detroit, Flint, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Toledo, and Cleveland?	18 1802: Detroit Incorporated As Michigan’s First City 1802: Detroit Incorporated As Michigan’s First City Jan 18 all-day Tickets On January 18, 1802, Territorial Governor Arthur St. Clair and the legislature of the Northwest Territory in Chillicothe, Ohio approved the charter incorporating the town of Detroit. Government was to be administered by a five-person … Continue reading "1802: Detroit Incorporated As Michigan’s First City" 1813 : Brigadier-General Winchester Captures Frenchtown 1813 : Brigadier-General Winchester Captures Frenchtown Jan 18 all-day Tickets On January 18, 1813 the Americans forced the retreat of the British and their Native American allies from Frenchtown, which they had earlier occupied, in a relatively minor skirmish. The movement was part of a … Continue reading "1813 : Brigadier-General Winchester Captures Frenchtown" 1922 : Bob Bell Born, First Bozo the Clown 1922 : Bob Bell Born, First Bozo the Clown Jan 18 all-day Tickets Cooky the Clown (Roy Brown) and Bozo (Bob Bell) on WGN-TV between 1976 and 1977. On Jan. 18, 1922, Bob Bell, the first portrayer of Bozo the Clown, was born in Flint. Bell began his … Continue reading "1922 : Bob Bell Born, First Bozo the Clown" 1922 : First MAC Home Ice Hockey Contest 1922 : First MAC Home Ice Hockey Contest Jan 18 all-day Tickets During its first season and for a number of seasons thereafter, ice hockey at MAC was played on the Red Cedar River above the dam behind the administration building (near where Wells Hall now stands) … Continue reading "1922 : First MAC Home Ice Hockey Contest" 1943 : Michigan Bakeries Ordered To Stop Slicing Loaves of Bread 1943 : Michigan Bakeries Ordered To Stop Slicing Loaves of Bread Jan 18 all-day Tickets On January 18, 1943, no sliced bread was available. To save manpower and steel-cutting equipment, commercial bakeries in Michigan and the rest of the nation were directed to stop the sale of sliced bread for … Continue reading "1943 : Michigan Bakeries Ordered To Stop Slicing Loaves of Bread" 2016 : Glenn Frey Dies, One of the Founding Members of the Eagles 2016 : Glenn Frey Dies, One of the Founding Members of the Eagles Jan 18 all-day Tickets Glenn Frey, the Royal Oak-bred Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and a founding member of the Eagles, died Monday. He was 67. Frey, a 1966 graduate of Dondero High School in Royal Oak, succumbed … Continue reading "2016 : Glenn Frey Dies, One of the Founding Members of the Eagles" 2020 : Michigan Grand Island Ice Caves Postage Stamp Released 2020 : Michigan Grand Island Ice Caves Postage Stamp Released Jan 18 all-day Tickets The U.S. Postal Service today released a new priority mail stamp honoring Michigan’s Grand Island Ice Caves. Customers can use the stamp to pay for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express Flat Rate shipping. Located … Continue reading "2020 : Michigan Grand Island Ice Caves Postage Stamp Released"	19 1841 : First Issue of Michigan Farmer 1841 : First Issue of Michigan Farmer Jan 19 all-day Tickets The Western Farmer, the state’s first farm journal, is published for the first time on this day. Promising to focus on such agricultural issues as the “application of manure,” calf-raising, deep ploughing and “the culture … Continue reading "1841 : First Issue of Michigan Farmer" 1864 : Clarissa Britain, of St. Joseph, Michigan Records Patent 1864 : Clarissa Britain, of St. Joseph, Michigan Records Patent Jan 19 all-day Tickets Clarissa Britain was a 19th-century inventor with seven patents to her name — the most of any Michigan woman of her time. On this day, she recorded a patent for leaf springs in ambulances to … Continue reading "1864 : Clarissa Britain, of St. Joseph, Michigan Records Patent" 1868 : Bishop Frederic Baraga Dies 1868 : Bishop Frederic Baraga Dies Jan 19 all-day Tickets Baraga, after whom the U.P. county is named, ministered to people from Sault Ste. Marie to Grand Rapids to Eagle Harbor, earning the nickname the Snowshoe Priest by trudging to Indian settlements in Michigan, Minnesota … Continue reading "1868 : Bishop Frederic Baraga Dies" 1941 : Robert G. “Bob” Heft Born 1941 : Robert G. “Bob” Heft Born Jan 19 all-day Tickets Robert G. “Bob” Heft (January 19, 1941 – December 12, 2009), born in Saginaw, Michigan, was the designer of the current American 50-star flag The Saginaw News has a nice feature on Saginaw resident Bob … Continue reading "1941 : Robert G. “Bob” Heft Born" 1981 : Rape Victim Lie Detector Tests Abolished 1981 : Rape Victim Lie Detector Tests Abolished Jan 19 all-day Tickets Legislation meant to protect rape victims from discriminatory use of lie detector tests has been signed into law by Gov. Milliken. Under the lie detector restriction bill, law enforcement officers would not be able to … Continue reading "1981 : Rape Victim Lie Detector Tests Abolished" 1989 : Governor Blanchard Bans Corporal Punishment in Public Schools 1989 : Governor Blanchard Bans Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Jan 19 all-day Tickets On this day in 1989, Governor James Blanchard signs a bill that bans corporal punishment in Michigan public schools. Source: Ken Coleman, retweeted by Michigan’s Past, January 19, 2019. MCLA 380.1312 1994 : MSU Classes Cancelled, but the University Remains Open 1994 : MSU Classes Cancelled, but the University Remains Open Jan 19 all-day Tickets January 19, 1994 About 30 students braved the cold to wake up President Peter McPherson at Cowles, the President’s Residence, chanting “Hell no, it’s 40 below” and “Frostbite is not right”. McPherson listened and an … Continue reading "1994 : MSU Classes Cancelled, but the University Remains Open" 2011 : Lansing Appoints First Female Chief of Police 2011 : Lansing Appoints First Female Chief of Police Jan 19 all-day Tickets Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has named Teresa Szymanski as Lansing’s next chief of police. She becomes the first female chief in the history of the department. Source : Lansing State Journal 2020 : Livonia Nurse Sings Amazing Grace In Memory of Covid Victims 2020 : Livonia Nurse Sings Amazing Grace In Memory of Covid Victims Jan 19 all-day Tickets A nurse from Michigan kicked off the 2021 inauguration celebration in an especially poignant way. On Tuesday evening, Lori Marie Key, who went viral in April for her rendition of “Amazing Grace” during a shift change, sang … Continue reading "2020 : Livonia Nurse Sings Amazing Grace In Memory of Covid Victims"	20 1837 : First Locomotive Powered Train in Michigan 1837 : First Locomotive Powered Train in Michigan Jan 20 all-day Tickets On Jan. 20, 1837, the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad put the first locomotive ever to run on Michigan tracks into service on their 33-mile Adrian-to-Toledo route. Prior to the locomotive’s arrival, horses had pulled the … Continue reading "1837 : First Locomotive Powered Train in Michigan" 1880 : First International Telephone Line Connects Detroit and Windsor 1880 : First International Telephone Line Connects Detroit and Windsor Jan 20 all-day Tickets The first international telephone line in the world opened between Detroit and Windsor on Jan. 20, 1880. A year later, almost to the day, the Michigan State Telephone Co. (later Michigan Bell and now part … Continue reading "1880 : First International Telephone Line Connects Detroit and Windsor" 1975 : First College Commencement Exercises Within A Prison 1975 : First College Commencement Exercises Within A Prison Jan 20 all-day Tickets The first college commencement exercises held within a prison were held on January 20, 1975 in the State Prison of Southern Michigan when Jackson Community College conferred 20 associate degrees. Source : History of Jackson, … Continue reading "1975 : First College Commencement Exercises Within A Prison" 1988 : Supremes Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1988 : Supremes Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Jan 20 all-day Tickets On January 20, 1988 the Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Supremes rose from the poverty of Detroit’s Brewster housing project to become Motown’s most consistent hitmakers and the … Continue reading "1988 : Supremes Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" MLK Day : Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday MLK Day : Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday Jan 20 all-day Tickets Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Christian minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 until his assassination … Continue reading "MLK Day : Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday" MLK Day : Five Myths About Dr. Martin Luther King MLK Day : Five Myths About Dr. Martin Luther King Jan 20 all-day Tickets The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is a historical figure every school child knows, one of the few from American history sculpted into a monument on the Mall. Yet much of his activism is misunderstood, … Continue reading "MLK Day : Five Myths About Dr. Martin Luther King" MLK Day : Michigan and Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK Day : Michigan and Martin Luther King, Jr. Jan 20 all-day Tickets As people across the country remember the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., we remember his visits to and influence on Michigan. Here are six historical nuggets about King and Michigan, ranging … Continue reading "MLK Day : Michigan and Martin Luther King, Jr." MLK Day : Volunteering and Highlights from Awesome Stories Archive MLK Day : Volunteering and Highlights from Awesome Stories Archive Jan 20 all-day Tickets Beyond all of his accomplishments, Dr. King left us an important question to ponder. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'” MLK Day, thus, is also a Day of … Continue reading "MLK Day : Volunteering and Highlights from Awesome Stories Archive"	21 1893 : The day Detroit’s ‘other’ train station opened its doors 1893 : The day Detroit’s ‘other’ train station opened its doors Jan 21 all-day Tickets On January, 1893 the first train steamed into the stately old Union Depot in downtown Detroit. No, not that abandoned train station you see on all the ruin porn web sites. You know, Detroit’s other … Continue reading "1893 : The day Detroit’s ‘other’ train station opened its doors" 1915 : Birth of Kiwanis in Detroit 1915 : Birth of Kiwanis in Detroit Jan 21 all-day Tickets Kiwanis International, one of the great service organizations of the world, had its origin on January 21, 1915. On this date the State of Michigan issued a charter to a group of business and professional … Continue reading "1915 : Birth of Kiwanis in Detroit" 1969 : Police Shut Down Play at University of Michigan 1969 : Police Shut Down Play at University of Michigan Jan 21 all-day Tickets It was the Age of Aquarius. Or maybe not. Late in January, the University Activity Center sponsored a two-week Creative Arts Festival. One of the sponsored plays, Dionysus 69, fresh from New York City, was … Continue reading "1969 : Police Shut Down Play at University of Michigan" 1972 : Koegel’s Relocates Near Bishop Airport in Flint 1972 : Koegel’s Relocates Near Bishop Airport in Flint Jan 21 all-day Tickets Not many businesses can say they have been around since the early 1900s, but not many businesses are like Koegel Meat Company. Albert Koegel came to the Flint area in 1916 to start his own … Continue reading "1972 : Koegel’s Relocates Near Bishop Airport in Flint" 1995 : Democratic Leader William Faust Dies 1995 : Democratic Leader William Faust Dies Jan 21 all-day Tickets Who gave the best farewell speech ever in the Michigan Legislature? Oh, without question the speech of former Senate Democratic leader William Faust in December 1994. It was the best. And in so many ways … Continue reading "1995 : Democratic Leader William Faust Dies" 2013 : Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway Resigns 2013 : Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway Resigns Jan 21 all-day Tickets Democratic-nominated Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway (right) resigned in 2013 after an ethics complaint was filed against her. She was subsequently sentenced to one year in prison for bank fraud after hiding assets to … Continue reading "2013 : Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway Resigns" 2013 : Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway Resigns 2013 : Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway Resigns Jan 21 all-day Tickets Democratic-nominated Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway resigned in 2013 after an ethics complaint was filed against her. She was subsequently sentenced to one year in prison for bank fraud after hiding assets to allow … Continue reading "2013 : Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway Resigns" 2016: Time Makes 2-Year-Old Face Of Flint Water Crisis 2016: Time Makes 2-Year-Old Face Of Flint Water Crisis Jan 21 all-day Tickets Sincere Smith, 2, became the national face of the Flint water crisis today after Time magazine put the rashed toddler’s picture on its cover with the headline, “The Poisoning Of An American City.” Detroit Free … Continue reading "2016: Time Makes 2-Year-Old Face Of Flint Water Crisis" National Squirrel Appreciation Day National Squirrel Appreciation Day Jan 21 all-day Tickets Who knew? Squirrel Appreciation Day is here; like them or not. January 21st is the day to look at America’s favorite rodent as something other than pancake-flat road kill, a clever feeder-robber or free entertainment … Continue reading "National Squirrel Appreciation Day"
22 1813 : Battle of River Raisin (January 22) 1813 : Battle of River Raisin (January 22) Jan 22 all-day Tickets Although American Brigadier-General Winchester’s American forces easily captured Frenchtown on January 18th, they were not prepared for the harsh northern winter and chose to remain there to recuperate and await reinforcement by General Harrison. They … Continue reading "1813 : Battle of River Raisin (January 22)" 1969 : Governor George Romney Resigns to Join Richard Nixon’s Cabinet 1969 : Governor George Romney Resigns to Join Richard Nixon’s Cabinet Jan 22 all-day Tickets Governor George Romney resigned to serve as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Richard M. Nixon. Lieutenant Governor William G. Milliken of Traverse City served the rest of the term and was subsequently … Continue reading "1969 : Governor George Romney Resigns to Join Richard Nixon’s Cabinet" 2002 : K-Mart Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy 2002 : K-Mart Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Jan 22 all-day Tickets Troy based K-Mart filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy making it the biggest retailer to ever seek bankruptcy protection. In 2005, Sears would purchase K-Mart. However, 7 years later both K-Mart and Sears are continuing to … Continue reading "2002 : K-Mart Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy" 2007 : Pfizer Announces Closure of Three Michigan Research Facilities 2007 : Pfizer Announces Closure of Three Michigan Research Facilities Jan 22 all-day Tickets On January 22, 2007, Global pharmaceutical firm Pfizer Inc. anounced it was closing three research sites in the United States — Ann Arbor, MI, Esperion (also in Ann Arbor) and Kalamazoo, MI, displacing 2100 workers. … Continue reading "2007 : Pfizer Announces Closure of Three Michigan Research Facilities" 2016 : ‘20/20’ digs into Courser / Gamrat political scandal 2016 : ‘20/20’ digs into Courser / Gamrat political scandal Jan 22 all-day Tickets Michigan gained the national spotlight for a month last year with the sex scandal and misuse of taxpayer resources involving Tea Party politicians Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat. The tale will be told in detail … Continue reading "2016 : ‘20/20’ digs into Courser / Gamrat political scandal" 2019 : Philomena Mantella Becomes GVSU’s 1st Woman President 2019 : Philomena Mantella Becomes GVSU’s 1st Woman President Jan 22 all-day Tickets Grand Valley State University has selected a woman as the western Michigan school’s president for the first time in its history. The appointment of Philomena Mantella as the school’s president was unanimously approved Tuesday during … Continue reading "2019 : Philomena Mantella Becomes GVSU’s 1st Woman President"	23 1813 : River Raisin Massacre (January 23) 1813 : River Raisin Massacre (January 23) Jan 23 all-day Tickets Remember the River Raisin? If you’re talking about the almost 200-year-ago battle between Americans and a combined force of British soldiers and their Indian allies — and not the polluted river that today flows through … Continue reading "1813 : River Raisin Massacre (January 23)" 1837 : Kalamazoo Gazette Launched 1837 : Kalamazoo Gazette Launched Jan 23 all-day Tickets On January 23, 1837, the state’s second oldest newspaper, The Kalamazoo Gazette, hit the streets under its current name. It started as a weekly publication, but became a daily in March 1872. Previously, the newspaper … Continue reading "1837 : Kalamazoo Gazette Launched" 1913: Anna Etheridge Dies, Buried at Arlington National Cemetery 1913: Anna Etheridge Dies, Buried at Arlington National Cemetery Jan 23 all-day Tickets Lorinda Anna “Annie” Blair Etheridge (May 3, 1839– January 23, 1913 ) was a Union nurse and vivandière who served during the American Civil War. She was one of only two women to receive the … Continue reading "1913: Anna Etheridge Dies, Buried at Arlington National Cemetery" 1943 : Local Dairies Increase Price of Cream 1943 : Local Dairies Increase Price of Cream Jan 23 all-day Tickets The price of coffee cream advanced four cents a quart in Lansing Friday, according to announcement of local dairy companies. The advanced price, effective January 22, was approved by the office of price administration to … Continue reading "1943 : Local Dairies Increase Price of Cream" 1963 : Malcolm X Gives Speech at Michigan State University 1963 : Malcolm X Gives Speech at Michigan State University Jan 23 all-day Tickets Malcolm X speaks at Erickson Kiva on January 23, 1963, on the MSU campus, to students and faculty about race problems and the Black Muslim religion and its ideas. The speech is followed by answers … Continue reading "1963 : Malcolm X Gives Speech at Michigan State University" 1972 : University of Michigan Launches Campus FM Station 1972 : University of Michigan Launches Campus FM Station Jan 23 all-day Tickets On January 23, 1972 the University of Michigan WCBN-FM went on the air, a real, over-the-airwaves radio station broadcasting at 10 ambitious watts around the clock all week long. Source : James Tobin, “Left of … Continue reading "1972 : University of Michigan Launches Campus FM Station" 2014 : Michigan Tech Ranks Ranks Number 1 As Snowiest University in the U.S. 2014 : Michigan Tech Ranks Ranks Number 1 As Snowiest University in the U.S. Jan 23 all-day Tickets Topping the charts as the snowiest university in the U.S., located in Houghton, Mich., along Portage Lake, Michigan Technological University receives almost 200 inches of snow every year. However, there have been many years in … Continue reading "2014 : Michigan Tech Ranks Ranks Number 1 As Snowiest University in the U.S." 2018 : Maurice Cecil Mackey, Jr. Born, MSU’s 16th President 2018 : Maurice Cecil Mackey, Jr. Born, MSU’s 16th President Jan 23 all-day Tickets Maurice Cecil Mackey, Jr. (“Cecil”), who served as an official for several federal agencies and president of three major universities, including Michigan State University from 1979 to 1985, died on February 8 at age 89. … Continue reading "2018 : Maurice Cecil Mackey, Jr. Born, MSU’s 16th President" 2021 : $1 Billion Mega Millions Lottery Ticket Sold in Michigan 2021 : $1 Billion Mega Millions Lottery Ticket Sold in Michigan Jan 23 all-day Tickets A once in a lifetime $1 billion Mega Millions ticket was sold at a Michigan Kroger in Novi, the biggest lottery prize ever won in this state and the third largest ever sold in the … Continue reading "2021 : $1 Billion Mega Millions Lottery Ticket Sold in Michigan" National Pie Day National Pie Day Jan 23 all-day Tickets Celebrated annually on January 23rd, National Pie Day is an unofficial holiday to celebrate that baked dish made out of pastry dough and filled with a tasty and usually sweet filling (although the filling can … Continue reading "National Pie Day"	24 1924 : Kalkaska’s Bearded Lady Dies 1924 : Kalkaska’s Bearded Lady Dies Jan 24 all-day Tickets During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, circus sideshows were popular forms of entertainment. Carnival barkers lured audiences into darkened tents with stories of tattooed men, sword swallowers, and human skeletons. Spectators thrilled to … Continue reading "1924 : Kalkaska’s Bearded Lady Dies" 1938 : Upper Peninsula Battered by Epic Winter Storm 1938 : Upper Peninsula Battered by Epic Winter Storm Jan 24 all-day Tickets On Jan. 24, 1938, the Upper Peninsula was hit by a colossal winter storm. How deep were the snow drifts? Look at the telephone pole on the left! Two people died in Ironwood after 32 … Continue reading "1938 : Upper Peninsula Battered by Epic Winter Storm" 1971 : Kenya Summer Moore Daly, African American Actress, Born 1971 : Kenya Summer Moore Daly, African American Actress, Born Jan 24 all-day Tickets Kenya Summer Moore Daly (née Moore; born January 24, 1971 in Detroit) is an American actress, model, producer, author, television personality, and entrepreneur. She co-starred in the Bravo series The Real Housewives of Atlanta from … Continue reading "1971 : Kenya Summer Moore Daly, African American Actress, Born" 1982 : First Super Bowl Held in Michigan 1982 : First Super Bowl Held in Michigan Jan 24 all-day Tickets On January 24, 1982, Super Bowl XVI was held at the Pontiac Silverdome. Ray Wersching kicked four field goals and Joe Montana’s controlled passing helped the San Francisco 49ers win their first NFL championship with … Continue reading "1982 : First Super Bowl Held in Michigan" 2018 : Larry Nassar Sentenced to Life in Prison 2018 : Larry Nassar Sentenced to Life in Prison Jan 24 all-day Tickets Once a world-renowned sports physician treating America’s foremost Olympic women gymnasts, Larry Nassar now will spend the rest of his life behind bars. The disgraced former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor was sentenced … Continue reading "2018 : Larry Nassar Sentenced to Life in Prison" 2018: MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon Resigns 2018: MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon Resigns Jan 24 all-day Tickets President Simon’s resignation letter Members of the Board of Trustees: The last year and a half has been very difficult for the victims of Larry Nassar, for the university community, and for me personally. To … Continue reading "2018: MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon Resigns"	25 1945 : Grand Rapids First City to Add Fluoride To Its Water Supply 1945 : Grand Rapids First City to Add Fluoride To Its Water Supply Jan 25 all-day Tickets On January 25, 1945, Grand Rapids became the first city in the world to add fluoride to its public water supply. The city, along with the U.S. Public Health Service, the Michigan Department of Health, … Continue reading "1945 : Grand Rapids First City to Add Fluoride To Its Water Supply" 1956 : Hank Greenburg Inducted Into Baseball Hall of Fame 1956 : Hank Greenburg Inducted Into Baseball Hall of Fame Jan 25 all-day Tickets Hank Greenberg of the Detroit Tigers became the first Jewish player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Over a 13-season career, he hit 331 home runs and batted .313. He … Continue reading "1956 : Hank Greenburg Inducted Into Baseball Hall of Fame" 2015 : Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford Appears in Pro Bowl 2015 : Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford Appears in Pro Bowl Jan 25 all-day Tickets The first Pro Bowl appearance by a Detroit Lions quarterback in more than 40 years couldn’t have gone much better. Matthew Stafford played most of the first half of Sunday’s Pro Bowl at University of … Continue reading "2015 : Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford Appears in Pro Bowl"	26 1835 : Acting Territorial Governor Stevens T. Mason Authorizes Formation of State Constitution and Government. 1835 : Acting Territorial Governor Stevens T. Mason Authorizes Formation of State Constitution and Government. Jan 26 all-day Tickets The 1835 Constitution on display at the Michigan Historical Center on Statehood Day in 2013. On January 26, 1835, Acting Territorial Governor Stevens T. Mason issued an enabling act authorizing the people of Michigan to … Continue reading "1835 : Acting Territorial Governor Stevens T. Mason Authorizes Formation of State Constitution and Government." 1837 : Michigan Becomes 26th State 1837 : Michigan Becomes 26th State Jan 26 all-day Tickets Happy birthday, Michigan! On January 26, 1837, more than a year after Michigan adopted its first constitution and elected its first governor, President Andrew Jackson signed the bill making Michigan the nation’s 26th state. The … Continue reading "1837 : Michigan Becomes 26th State" 1875 : Kalamazoo Dentist George F. Green Patents First Electric Dental Drill 1875 : Kalamazoo Dentist George F. Green Patents First Electric Dental Drill Jan 26 all-day Tickets American dentist, George F. Green, from Kalamazoo, Michigan invented the first electric dental drill and received a patent for it on January 26, 1875. Green’s drill had an electromagnetic motor and was designed to prevent … Continue reading "1875 : Kalamazoo Dentist George F. Green Patents First Electric Dental Drill" 1956 : Ford Motor Company Issues First Share of Common Stock 1956 : Ford Motor Company Issues First Share of Common Stock Jan 26 all-day Tickets On January 26, 1956, the first share of common stock in the Ford Motor Company was issued to Henry Ford II, who was then president of the auto maker. Source : Detroit Historical Society Facebook … Continue reading "1956 : Ford Motor Company Issues First Share of Common Stock" 1967 (Day 1) : Record Snow Storm in Lansing 1967 (Day 1) : Record Snow Storm in Lansing Jan 26 all-day Tickets On January 26, 1967 (Day 1) a record snow storm started on a Thursday and continued into the weekend, turning Lansing into a frozen, snow-covered ghost town. In all 15.4 inches of snow fell in … Continue reading "1967 (Day 1) : Record Snow Storm in Lansing" 1978 : Blizzard Closes MSU for 3rd Time 1978 : Blizzard Closes MSU for 3rd Time Jan 26 all-day Tickets After 24 inches of snow fell on January 25 & 26, the blizzard of ’78 forced MSU to suspend classes for two days. Students were not disappointed. According to the 1978 Red Cedar Log, the … Continue reading "1978 : Blizzard Closes MSU for 3rd Time" 1985 : Canada Trades Moose for Wild Turkeys 1985 : Canada Trades Moose for Wild Turkeys Jan 26 all-day Tickets The mating bellow of the bull moose will echo through the deep forests near here this fall if an unusual international animal swap is successful. Wildlife officials in Michigan have made arrangements to trade 150 … Continue reading "1985 : Canada Trades Moose for Wild Turkeys" 2001 : Escanaba in Da Moonlight Released 2001 : Escanaba in Da Moonlight Released Jan 26 all-day Tickets Escanaba in da Moonlight is a 2001 movie starring Jeff Daniels. It is a comedy about hunting and hunting traditions and is set (and filmed) in the Escanaba, Michigan area. The film is known for … Continue reading "2001 : Escanaba in Da Moonlight Released" 2004 : Unveiling the New Michigan Quarter 2004 : Unveiling the New Michigan Quarter Jan 26 all-day Tickets The snow and bitter cold could not dampen the excitement of the crowd that was filing into the Capitol on Monday, January 26, 2004. From the serious coin collectors to the casual history buffs, it … Continue reading "2004 : Unveiling the New Michigan Quarter" 2015 : Governor Snyder First Governor in 50 Years to Attend Michigan Civil Rights Commission Meeting 2015 : Governor Snyder First Governor in 50 Years to Attend Michigan Civil Rights Commission Meeting Jan 26 all-day Tickets Gov. Rick Snyder appeared today before the Michigan Civil Rights Commission in what state officials believe is the first such visit by a sitting governor in more than 50 years. But Snyder had nothing new … Continue reading "2015 : Governor Snyder First Governor in 50 Years to Attend Michigan Civil Rights Commission Meeting"	27 1823 : Baptist Missionary Isaac McCoy Opens Carey Mission School Near Present-Day Niles, Michigan 1823 : Baptist Missionary Isaac McCoy Opens Carey Mission School Near Present-Day Niles, Michigan Jan 27 all-day Tickets Isaac McCoy (June 13, 1784 – June 21, 1846) was a Baptist missionary among the Native Americans in present-day Indiana, Michigan and Missouri. He was an advocate of Indian removal from the eastern United States, … Continue reading "1823 : Baptist Missionary Isaac McCoy Opens Carey Mission School Near Present-Day Niles, Michigan" 1847 : Slave Catchers Thwarted in Marshall 1847 : Slave Catchers Thwarted in Marshall Jan 27 all-day Tickets January 27-28, 1847 Slave catchers arrived in Marshall hoping to capture the Adam Crosswhite family who had escaped from slavery in Kentucky. Once they realized what was going on, the citizens of Marshall thwarted their … Continue reading "1847 : Slave Catchers Thwarted in Marshall" 1859 : Jesse Eugene Tenney Became Michigan’s State Librarian 1859 : Jesse Eugene Tenney Became Michigan’s State Librarian Jan 27 all-day Tickets On January 27, 1859, Jesse Eugene Tenney became Michigan’s state librarian. A native of Vermont, the well-travelled Tenney, a lawyer by trade, came to Michigan in 1854. He served as Marshall schools’ superintendent prior to … Continue reading "1859 : Jesse Eugene Tenney Became Michigan’s State Librarian" 1883 : First Electric Lights Installed in Detroit Store 1883 : First Electric Lights Installed in Detroit Store Jan 27 all-day Tickets The first electric lights in Michigan were installed at Metcalf’s dry goods store in Detroit. This triggered demand for the new invention, as neighboring downtown businesses clamored for Thomas Edison’s new lights. Sources : Detroit … Continue reading "1883 : First Electric Lights Installed in Detroit Store" 1937 : GM President Says Striking Workers Are To Blame for Flint Sit-Down Strike 1937 : GM President Says Striking Workers Are To Blame for Flint Sit-Down Strike Jan 27 all-day Tickets With the Sit-Down Strike of 1936-37 four weeks old and workers refusing to leave General Motors’ Fisher Body plants, GM President Alfred P. Sloan took his case directly to employees 75 years ago today. In … Continue reading "1937 : GM President Says Striking Workers Are To Blame for Flint Sit-Down Strike" 1943 : Ypsilanti Resident Writes President Roosevelt Protesting Hiring Practices at Ford’s Willow Run Plant 1943 : Ypsilanti Resident Writes President Roosevelt Protesting Hiring Practices at Ford’s Willow Run Plant Jan 27 all-day Tickets · A remarkable letter sent from John W. Richardson of 445 Hawkins to President Franklin Roosevelt during World War Two protesting the lack of democracy here in the “Arsenal of Democracy”. From the National Archives, … Continue reading "1943 : Ypsilanti Resident Writes President Roosevelt Protesting Hiring Practices at Ford’s Willow Run Plant" 1967 (Day 2) : Worst Snowfall in Lansing’s History? 1967 (Day 2) : Worst Snowfall in Lansing’s History? Jan 27 all-day Tickets By noon on January 27, 1967, 24 inches of snow had accumulated on the ground in Lansing, and the U.S. Weather Bureau was predicting from two to four more inches before night. Lansing Mayor Murninghan … Continue reading "1967 (Day 2) : Worst Snowfall in Lansing’s History?" 2012 : Michigan’s Gray Wolf Removed From Federal Endangered Species List 2012 : Michigan’s Gray Wolf Removed From Federal Endangered Species List Jan 27 all-day Tickets The Michigan Gray Wolf’s long journey back from near extinction is hailed as one of the greatest wildlife survivial stories in U.S. history — flourishing from just six animals in 1973 to nearly 700 today … Continue reading "2012 : Michigan’s Gray Wolf Removed From Federal Endangered Species List" 2012 : President Obama Visits University of Michigan 2012 : President Obama Visits University of Michigan Jan 27 all-day Tickets President Barack Obama this morning announced at the University of Michigan (U-M) a $1 billion Race to the Top (RTTT) for higher education. “How can we make sure that everyone gets the education they need … Continue reading "2012 : President Obama Visits University of Michigan" 2018 : Heikinpäivä Celebrated By Finns Everywhere, Including Hancock, Michigan 2018 : Heikinpäivä Celebrated By Finns Everywhere, Including Hancock, Michigan Jan 27 all-day Tickets The crazy Finns of the Hancock love Heikinpäivä so much that it lasts the whole month of January (and even longer in 2018). They even have a Facebook page so you can keep track of … Continue reading "2018 : Heikinpäivä Celebrated By Finns Everywhere, Including Hancock, Michigan" 2021 : First Remote State of the State Address Due to Covid Outbreak 2021 : First Remote State of the State Address Due to Covid Outbreak Jan 27 all-day Tickets This May Be First SOS Not Given In Front Of Legislature History will be made Wednesday night as Gov. Gretchen WHITMER delivers her third State of the State address to a television audience only — … Continue reading "2021 : First Remote State of the State Address Due to Covid Outbreak"	28 1863 : Colored Men Of Michigan State Convention Held in Ypsilanti 1863 : Colored Men Of Michigan State Convention Held in Ypsilanti Jan 28 all-day Tickets On January 28, 1863, as a response to the Emancipation Proclamation and the raising of Black troops in the North, Michigan’s African-American men, including leading national figures like Martin Delaney, George DeBaptiste and William Whipper … Continue reading "1863 : Colored Men Of Michigan State Convention Held in Ypsilanti" 1877 : Lake George and Muskegon River Railroad in Clare County Opens To Faciliate Year-Round Logging 1877 : Lake George and Muskegon River Railroad in Clare County Opens To Faciliate Year-Round Logging Jan 28 all-day Tickets Winfield Scott Gerrish opens the 7.1-mile-long Lake George and Muskegon River Railroad in Clare County. Following a warm winter that seriously hampered logging activities, Gerrish moved 20 million board feet of logs to the Muskegon … Continue reading "1877 : Lake George and Muskegon River Railroad in Clare County Opens To Faciliate Year-Round Logging" 1898: Sault Sainte Marie Sets Speed Limit at 6-MPH 1898: Sault Sainte Marie Sets Speed Limit at 6-MPH Jan 28 all-day Tickets On January 28, 1898, the Soo Times railed against a 6-mph speed limit the Sault Sainte Marie City Council had imposed. The Times wrote, “It is violated every day in the year by every man … Continue reading "1898: Sault Sainte Marie Sets Speed Limit at 6-MPH" 1958 : Ozzie Virgil, First Detroit Tiger of Color 1958 : Ozzie Virgil, First Detroit Tiger of Color Jan 28 all-day Tickets On January 28, 1958, the Tigers shipped Jim Finigan and $25,000 to the San Francisco Giants for Gail Harris and Ozzie Virgil. Virgil was called the Tigers’ first black player, though, in actuality, he was … Continue reading "1958 : Ozzie Virgil, First Detroit Tiger of Color" 1959 : Detroit Integrates Police Patrol Car Crews 1959 : Detroit Integrates Police Patrol Car Crews Jan 28 all-day Tickets On January 28, 1959, Detroit police patrol car crews were racially integrated for the first time. Source : Detroit Historical Society of Michigan 1979 : Muhammad Ali Visits Central Michigan University 1979 : Muhammad Ali Visits Central Michigan University Jan 28 all-day Tickets January 28, 1979, three-time heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali came to Mount Pleasant to speak to a crowd of about 2,000 at Rose Arena on the Central Michigan University campus. Those in attendance who hoped … Continue reading "1979 : Muhammad Ali Visits Central Michigan University" 2013 : Michigan State Superintendent Says Math and Science Teachers Should Make $100,000 2013 : Michigan State Superintendent Says Math and Science Teachers Should Make $100,000 Jan 28 all-day Tickets To encourage more scientists and mathematicians into the field of education, State Superintendent Mike Flanagan today called for teachers in Michigan to make $100,000-plus salaries. For more information, see “Superintendent Flanagan Says Teachers Should Be … Continue reading "2013 : Michigan State Superintendent Says Math and Science Teachers Should Make $100,000" 2014 : University of Michigan Cancels All Classes 2014 : University of Michigan Cancels All Classes Jan 28 all-day Tickets The University of Michigan has canceled classes due to weather for the first time since 1978. The closure does not affect the U-M Health System, university spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said in an email to reporters. … Continue reading "2014 : University of Michigan Cancels All Classes" 2015 : Lugnuts Establish Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame 2015 : Lugnuts Establish Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame Jan 28 all-day Tickets Tom Dickson was shocked upon discovering last year there was nothing established to honor the tradition of baseball in Michigan. The Lansing Lugnuts owner decided to change that. The Lugnuts announced Wednesday the establishment … Continue reading "2015 : Lugnuts Establish Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame"
29 1912 : Martha Griffiths Born 1912 : Martha Griffiths Born Jan 29 all-day Tickets Martha Edna Wright was born in Pierce City, Missouri, on January 29, 1912. Her father, Charles Elbridge Wright, was a rural mail carrier. Her mother, Nelle, served as a substitute carrier from the time that … Continue reading "1912 : Martha Griffiths Born" 1919 : Michigan Ratifies the 18th Amendment, Prohibiting the Sale of Intoxicating Liquours in the United States 1919 : Michigan Ratifies the 18th Amendment, Prohibiting the Sale of Intoxicating Liquours in the United States Jan 29 all-day Tickets The 18th Amendment, prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in the United States, was ratified by the Michigan legislature on this day. Michigan actually went dry on May 1, 1918, over a year before the … Continue reading "1919 : Michigan Ratifies the 18th Amendment, Prohibiting the Sale of Intoxicating Liquours in the United States" 1945 : Actor Tom Selleck Born in Detroit 1945 : Actor Tom Selleck Born in Detroit Jan 29 all-day Tickets On Jan. 29, 1945, actor Tom Selleck was born in Detroit. Selleck would go on to star in the TV shows “Magnum PI” and “Blue Bloods” and in such movies as “Three Men and a … Continue reading "1945 : Actor Tom Selleck Born in Detroit" 1971: Rocket Fired into Outer Space from Kewenaw Peninsula 1971: Rocket Fired into Outer Space from Kewenaw Peninsula Jan 29 all-day Tickets Did you know Michigan’s first rocket to launch into space came from a site in the Keweenaw? The State of Michigan established a rocket range at this location. It was active from 1964-1971. The first … Continue reading "1971: Rocket Fired into Outer Space from Kewenaw Peninsula"	30 1933 : Lone Ranger Debuts on Detroit Radio 1933 : Lone Ranger Debuts on Detroit Radio Jan 30 all-day Tickets “A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Hi-Yo Silver! The Lone Ranger! … With his faithful Indian companion Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the … Continue reading "1933 : Lone Ranger Debuts on Detroit Radio" 1955 : Tom Izzo Born, MSU’s Basketball Coach 1955 : Tom Izzo Born, MSU’s Basketball Coach Jan 30 all-day Tickets “Players play. Tough players win.” ~Tom Izzo Happy birthday to the one and only! Born on July 3, 1955 in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Tom Izzo Wikipedia Entry 2017 : Fred Korematsu Born 2017 : Fred Korematsu Born Jan 30 all-day Tickets House Minority Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and Rep. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) have introduced a bill and resolution that would commemorate the efforts of former Detroit resident Fred Korematsu. During World War II, as many … Continue reading "2017 : Fred Korematsu Born" 2019 : MSU Cancels Classes for 7th Time Due To Cold 2019 : MSU Cancels Classes for 7th Time Due To Cold Jan 30 all-day Tickets Michigan State University has called off classes Wednesday “due to anticipated and sustained severe wind chills below -20 degrees F.” Classes will be suspended starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday at all MSU locations, the university … Continue reading "2019 : MSU Cancels Classes for 7th Time Due To Cold" 2019 : University of Michigan Cancels Classes for 4th Time Due to Cold 2019 : University of Michigan Cancels Classes for 4th Time Due to Cold Jan 30 all-day Tickets For just the third time in the past 40 years, the University of Michigan will cancel classes on its Ann Arbor campus. UM announced it will cancel classes for Wednesday, Jan. 30, and Thursday, Jan. … Continue reading "2019 : University of Michigan Cancels Classes for 4th Time Due to Cold"	31 1800 : Jane Johnston Schoolcraft Born 1800 : Jane Johnston Schoolcraft Born Jan 31 all-day Tickets Jane Johnston Schoolcraft (her English name) or Bamewawagezhikaquay (her Ojibwe name), Woman of the Sound the Stars Make Rushing Through the Sky, was born in 1800 in Sault Ste. Marie in what is now the … Continue reading "1800 : Jane Johnston Schoolcraft Born" 1849 : New Detroit Fort Named Fort Wayne 1849 : New Detroit Fort Named Fort Wayne Jan 31 all-day Tickets On January 31, 1849, the new fort constructed in Detroit was named Fort Wayne, in honor of the late General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, whose victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 eliminated the … Continue reading "1849 : New Detroit Fort Named Fort Wayne" 1865 : Michigan Congressional Delegation Helps Pass the 13th Amendment 1865 : Michigan Congressional Delegation Helps Pass the 13th Amendment Jan 31 all-day Tickets On January 31, 1865, the House of Representatives passed the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, eradicating slavery in America for good. There were six respresentatives from Michigan that day and all voted for … Continue reading "1865 : Michigan Congressional Delegation Helps Pass the 13th Amendment" 1936 : Green Hornet Debuts 1936 : Green Hornet Debuts Jan 31 all-day Tickets The Green Hornet is one of those “super-heroes” that isn’t really super…you know, like Batman. The character of The Green Hornet was created in Michigan for Detroit radio WXYZ by Fran Striker (and possibly radio owner George … Continue reading "1936 : Green Hornet Debuts" 1945 : Michigan Soldier Executed for Desertion, First Since Civil War 1945 : Michigan Soldier Executed for Desertion, First Since Civil War Jan 31 all-day Tickets On January 31, 1945, Pvt. Eddie Slovik of Hamtramck was executed for desertion in France during WWII. He was the first and only American soldier to be executed for desertion since the Civil War. Sources … Continue reading "1945 : Michigan Soldier Executed for Desertion, First Since Civil War" 1950 : Michigan Governor Calls for Higher Teacher Salaries 1950 : Michigan Governor Calls for Higher Teacher Salaries Jan 31 all-day Tickets Increased salaries for teachers with a pupil-teacher ratio of 18 to 1 were advocated by Gov. G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams in an address Sunday afternoon before the mid-winter graduating class of Western Michigan college. … … Continue reading "1950 : Michigan Governor Calls for Higher Teacher Salaries" 2004 : SPC Holly McGeogh, the Only Michigan Woman To Die in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004 : SPC Holly McGeogh, the Only Michigan Woman To Die in Operation Iraqi Freedom Jan 31 all-day Tickets Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a bill which will name a section of I-75 in Taylor, MI the “SPC Holly McGeogh Memorial Highway”. On Jan. 31, 2004 at age 19, Holly became the first, and … Continue reading "2004 : SPC Holly McGeogh, the Only Michigan Woman To Die in Operation Iraqi Freedom"

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