Michigan Day by Day

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			1 1802 : Detroit Receives City Charter from Northwest Territorial Government 1802 : Detroit Receives City Charter from Northwest Territorial Government Feb 1 all-day Tickets Detroit was incorporated as a town by the legislature of the Northwest Territory at Chillicothe, Ohio, and approved by Territorial Governor Arthur St. Clair on January 18, 1802, effective February 1, 1802. Government was administered by a five-person … Continue reading "1802 : Detroit Receives City Charter from Northwest Territorial Government" 1813 : British Commander of Newly Seized Detroit Orders Prominent Americans to Depart 1813 : British Commander of Newly Seized Detroit Orders Prominent Americans to Depart Feb 1 all-day Tickets After Detroit was captured in War of 1812, Colonel Henry Proctor, the British commander, declared martial law and ordered prominent Americans to leave Detroit. Source : Historical Society of Michigan. Letter from 29 Detroit Citizens … Continue reading "1813 : British Commander of Newly Seized Detroit Orders Prominent Americans to Depart" 1832 : Ann Arbor Newspaper Calls for Transcontinental Railroad 1832 : Ann Arbor Newspaper Calls for Transcontinental Railroad Feb 1 all-day Tickets On February 1, 1832, The Western Immigrant, an Ann Arbor newspaper, printed the first published proposal for a transcontinental railroad. Source: Michigan History Or was it February 6, 1832? See John Debo Galloway, The Transcontinental … Continue reading "1832 : Ann Arbor Newspaper Calls for Transcontinental Railroad" 1902 : MAC Defeats Alma, 102-3 1902 : MAC Defeats Alma, 102-3 Feb 1 all-day Tickets On Sunday — Feb. 1, 1902 — the Michigan Agricultural College (MAC) Aggies hosted Alma College in East Lansing. It was George Denman’s debut as MAC’s coach and what an opener it was, a 102-3 … Continue reading "1902 : MAC Defeats Alma, 102-3" 1942 : Blue Star Mothers of America Formed in Flint 1942 : Blue Star Mothers of America Formed in Flint Feb 1 all-day Tickets On February 1, 1942, 300 mothers met in the Durant Hotel in Flint, Michigan to form the Blue Star Mothers of America, a patriotic service organization of women who had loved ones serving overseas. On … Continue reading "1942 : Blue Star Mothers of America Formed in Flint" 1967 : I-94 Completed 1967 : I-94 Completed Feb 1 all-day Tickets The last link of I-94 was completed, making Michigan the first state to have a border-to-border interstate highway. The seven-mile section of I-94 that opened through St. Clair Shores and Roseville completed the 275-mile highway … Continue reading "1967 : I-94 Completed"	2 1704 : Marie Therese Cadillac, First Child Baptized in Detroit 1704 : Marie Therese Cadillac, First Child Baptized in Detroit Feb 2 all-day Tickets On February 2, 1704, Marie Therese Cadillac, daughter of the city’s founder, became the first child baptized in Detroit. She is born 9 months to the day that her mother arrived in Detroit from Montreal … Continue reading "1704 : Marie Therese Cadillac, First Child Baptized in Detroit" 1870: University of Michigan Admits First Female Student 1870: University of Michigan Admits First Female Student Feb 2 all-day Tickets On February 2, 1870, Elizabeth (Madelon) Stockwell from Kalamazoo was the first female admitted to the University of Michigan. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in June 1872. Stockwell came to the University … Continue reading "1870: University of Michigan Admits First Female Student" 1895 : Axe Murder Fixates Detroit 1895 : Axe Murder Fixates Detroit Feb 2 all-day Tickets According to the book Wicked Women of Detroit, Nellie Pope was a good-sized woman: 6’4” and 250 pounds. Likened to the structure of an Amazonian woman, this is what attracted local barber William Brusseau. The … Continue reading "1895 : Axe Murder Fixates Detroit" 1921 : Electric Streetcars Begin Operating in Detroit 1921 : Electric Streetcars Begin Operating in Detroit Feb 2 all-day Tickets On February 2, 1921, electric streetcars began operation in Detroit. Sources : Historical Society of Michigan. Detroit Transit History 19 pictures showing the history of Detroit’s streetcar system, Detroit Metro Times. Before the QLine: Detroit’s … Continue reading "1921 : Electric Streetcars Begin Operating in Detroit" 1936 : Ty Cobb One of First Players Elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame 1936 : Ty Cobb One of First Players Elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame Feb 2 all-day Tickets On February 2, 1936, Ty Cobb becomes one of the first players selected to enter the newly formed Baseball Hall of Fame. Sources : Michigan History Magazine Tyrus Raymond Cobb Inducted to the Hall of … Continue reading "1936 : Ty Cobb One of First Players Elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame" 1954 : Christie Brinkley Born, CoverGirl and a Whole Lot More 1954 : Christie Brinkley Born, CoverGirl and a Whole Lot More Feb 2 all-day Tickets Believe it or not, but Christie Brinkley was born Christine Lee Hudson in Monroe, Michigan on February 2, 1954, although she moved to California with her family as a child. Brinkley gained worldwide fame beginning … Continue reading "1954 : Christie Brinkley Born, CoverGirl and a Whole Lot More" 1954 : Wings Play First Winter Classic At Marquette Prison 1954 : Wings Play First Winter Classic At Marquette Prison Feb 2 all-day Tickets Doc Emrick takes a look back on the first outdoor game ever played by an NHL team, which was on Feb. 2, 1954 when the Detroit Red Wings played the inmates of Marquette Branch Prison … Continue reading "1954 : Wings Play First Winter Classic At Marquette Prison" 2011 : Michigan State University Suspends Classes For Fifth Time Because of a Blizzard 2011 : Michigan State University Suspends Classes For Fifth Time Because of a Blizzard Feb 2 all-day Tickets In what the National Weather Service called “a top 10 storm” for Michigan, Groundhog Day blizzard conditions brought about a foot of snow to mid-Michigan, along with high winds and frigid temperatures, creating dangerous wind … Continue reading "2011 : Michigan State University Suspends Classes For Fifth Time Because of a Blizzard" 2014 : Oakland University’s Travis Bader Sets NCAA Division I Record for 3-Point Shots 2014 : Oakland University’s Travis Bader Sets NCAA Division I Record for 3-Point Shots Feb 2 all-day Tickets Oakland University’s Travis Bader set the NCAA Division I record for the most career 3-pointers on Sunday against Milwaukee, surpassing the previous mark of 457 set by Duke’s J.J. Redick. Bader, who entered the game … Continue reading "2014 : Oakland University’s Travis Bader Sets NCAA Division I Record for 3-Point Shots" 2015 : MSU Suspends Classes Until Noon; University of Michigan Cancels Classes for Entire Day 2015 : MSU Suspends Classes Until Noon; University of Michigan Cancels Classes for Entire Day Feb 2 all-day Tickets For the sixth time in its history, MSU suspended classes — at least for the morning – because of a heavy snowfall. The Lansing area got between 10 and 12 inches of snow in Sunday’s … Continue reading "2015 : MSU Suspends Classes Until Noon; University of Michigan Cancels Classes for Entire Day"	3 1838 : Michigan Central Railroad Boards Passengers for First Time 1838 : Michigan Central Railroad Boards Passengers for First Time Feb 3 all-day Tickets On February 3, 1838, passengers rode the Michigan Central Railroad for the first time, from Detroit to Ypsilanti. Eventually, it would expand to connect many more exotic places like Niagara Falls! Michigan Central Railroad (red) … Continue reading "1838 : Michigan Central Railroad Boards Passengers for First Time" 1856: Julius Stroh Born, Detroit Brewer 1856: Julius Stroh Born, Detroit Brewer Feb 3 all-day Tickets Today is the birthday of Julius Stroh (February 3, 1856-June 2, 1939). He was born in Michigan, the son of Bernard Stroh, who founded the Stroh Brewery in Detroit, Michigan in 1850. After his father … Continue reading "1856: Julius Stroh Born, Detroit Brewer" 1889 : Hammond Building Becomes Detroit’s First Skyscraper 1889 : Hammond Building Becomes Detroit’s First Skyscraper Feb 3 all-day Tickets On February 3, 1889, the ten-story Hammond Building became Detroit’s first skyscraper. Located at West Fort and Griswold Streets, the building was demolished in 1956 and replaced by the new headquarters for the National Bank … Continue reading "1889 : Hammond Building Becomes Detroit’s First Skyscraper" 1944 : Sydney Howe Scores 6 Goals In a Single Game for the Red Wings 1944 : Sydney Howe Scores 6 Goals In a Single Game for the Red Wings Feb 3 all-day Tickets Sydney Harris Howe, no relation to Gordie, joined the Wings in 1935, bought along with another player named Scotty Bowman (no relation to the game’s winningest coach) for $50,000 in a deal that completely surprised … Continue reading "1944 : Sydney Howe Scores 6 Goals In a Single Game for the Red Wings" 1956 : Michigan Motorists Can No Longer Determine Their Own Speed Limit 1956 : Michigan Motorists Can No Longer Determine Their Own Speed Limit Feb 3 all-day Tickets On February 3, 1956 highway speed limits of 65 miles per hour by day and 55 by night went into effect in Michigan. Prior to this motorists could determine what was safe and reasonable. Source … Continue reading "1956 : Michigan Motorists Can No Longer Determine Their Own Speed Limit" 2015 : Jack Crawford Receives Congressional Gold Medal for WWII Special Forces Efforts 2015 : Jack Crawford Receives Congressional Gold Medal for WWII Special Forces Efforts Feb 3 all-day Tickets Ninety-year-old John “Jack” Crawford will go down in history with the likes of George Washington, Thomas Edison and Winston Churchill. Crawford’s exploits fighting in World War II with an elite Special Forces unit – considered … Continue reading "2015 : Jack Crawford Receives Congressional Gold Medal for WWII Special Forces Efforts" 2021 : Wayne Terwilliger Dies, Charlotte Native, World Series Champ 2021 : Wayne Terwilliger Dies, Charlotte Native, World Series Champ Feb 3 all-day Tickets Wayne Terwilliger didn’t waste a single moment of his 95 years. He was a World War II veteran, serving in combat with the Marines in Sapian, Tinian and Iwo Jima. He attended Western Michigan for … Continue reading "2021 : Wayne Terwilliger Dies, Charlotte Native, World Series Champ"	4 1836 : Michigan House Introduces Resolution To Exterminate Wolves 1836 : Michigan House Introduces Resolution To Exterminate Wolves Feb 4 all-day Tickets On Feb. 4, 1836, a resolution was introduced in the Michigan House asking for the extermination of wolves. According to the resolution, wolves were “brigands,” preying on wildlife and farm animals at all times, but … Continue reading "1836 : Michigan House Introduces Resolution To Exterminate Wolves" 1902 : Charles Lindbergh Born in Detroit 1902 : Charles Lindbergh Born in Detroit Feb 4 all-day Tickets Charles Lindbergh was born February 4, 1902, to Charles and Evangeline Lodge Lindbergh. He was born at an uncle’s house at 1220 W. Forest, in what is now Detroit’s Midtown, but raised in Minnesota. His … Continue reading "1902 : Charles Lindbergh Born in Detroit" 1913 : Rosa Parks Born 1913 : Rosa Parks Born Feb 4 all-day Tickets On February 4, 1913, civil rights icon Rosa Parks was born in rural Tuskegee, Alabama. Born Rosa Louise McCauley, this remarkable woman is remembered as the “mother of the modern day civil rights movement.” Most … Continue reading "1913 : Rosa Parks Born" 1915 : William Whitney Talman Jr. Born, Hamilton Burger of Perry Mason Fame 1915 : William Whitney Talman Jr. Born, Hamilton Burger of Perry Mason Fame Feb 4 all-day Tickets William Whitney Talman Jr. was a third-generation Detroiter whose ancestral line included a member of George Washington’s staff during the American Revolution. A noted actor, he played in many movies before becoming famous as Hamilton … Continue reading "1915 : William Whitney Talman Jr. Born, Hamilton Burger of Perry Mason Fame" 1922 : Ford Motor Company Buys Lincoln Motor Company 1922 : Ford Motor Company Buys Lincoln Motor Company Feb 4 all-day Tickets On February 4, 1922, the Ford Motor Company bought the failing Lincoln Motor Company for a total of $8 million and expanded its reach into the luxury segment of the automotive market. The acquisition came … Continue reading "1922 : Ford Motor Company Buys Lincoln Motor Company" 1948 : Vincent Furnier Born, Better Known as Alice Cooper 1948 : Vincent Furnier Born, Better Known as Alice Cooper Feb 4 all-day Tickets Cooper in 2017 When you talk about rock and roll originators Vincent Furnier needs to be in the discussion. Most know Vince Furnier by his stage name Alice Cooper, a rock and roll legend and … Continue reading "1948 : Vincent Furnier Born, Better Known as Alice Cooper" 1964 : Terry McDermott Shocks the World By Winning a Gold Medal 1964 : Terry McDermott Shocks the World By Winning a Gold Medal Feb 4 all-day Tickets Terry McDermott, the 23-year-old bashful barber from Essexville, Bay County, Michigan, shocked the world today by setting an Olympic speed record in the 500 meter speed skating competition at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, … Continue reading "1964 : Terry McDermott Shocks the World By Winning a Gold Medal"
5 1838 : Brady Guards, Detroit’s Militia Company, Called into Service During Patriot War in Canada 1838 : Brady Guards, Detroit’s Militia Company, Called into Service During Patriot War in Canada Feb 5 all-day Tickets On February 5, 1838, Detroit’s militia company, the Brady guards, was called into service during the Patriot War in Canada to prevent Americans from attempting to overthrow the Canadian government and to preserve the peace … Continue reading "1838 : Brady Guards, Detroit’s Militia Company, Called into Service During Patriot War in Canada" 1909 : Haskell Home Orphanage (Battle Creek) Burns Down 1909 : Haskell Home Orphanage (Battle Creek) Burns Down Feb 5 all-day Tickets Fourteen-year-old Lena McKelvey was a temporary guest at the Haskell Home orphanage. The Battle Creek girl was being treated for an injured hand while her family visited Florida. Cecil Coutant, who was 12, had lived at the … Continue reading "1909 : Haskell Home Orphanage (Battle Creek) Burns Down" 1918 : Muskegon Native Arthur Siplon Survives WWI U-Boat Attack 1918 : Muskegon Native Arthur Siplon Survives WWI U-Boat Attack Feb 5 all-day Tickets It is February 5, 1918 and the SS Tuscania is floating just off the Scottish coast. Dusk is setting in. The English luxury liner is carrying more than 2,000 American troops, many from Michigan, bound … Continue reading "1918 : Muskegon Native Arthur Siplon Survives WWI U-Boat Attack" 1953 : John Beilein Born, University of Michigan Basketball Coach 1953 : John Beilein Born, University of Michigan Basketball Coach Feb 5 all-day Tickets Happy birthday to Coach Beilein of the University of Michigan who was born on February 5, 1953. Sources : John Beilein wikipedia entry. Official Michigan Biography. 1959 : Governor Jennifer Granholm Born 1959 : Governor Jennifer Granholm Born Feb 5 all-day Tickets Although born in Vancouver, Canada, Jennifer Granholm made history in Michigan, being elected the first woman Attorney General in 1998 and the first woman governor in 2002. She easily won reelection in 2006. Source : … Continue reading "1959 : Governor Jennifer Granholm Born" 1988: Brook Trout Designated Michigan’s State Fish 1988: Brook Trout Designated Michigan’s State Fish Feb 5 all-day Tickets In 1965, even as the bluegill was being proposed as the state fish in the Michigan House of Representatives, the adoption of the “trout” as the official fish of Michigan was being promoted in the … Continue reading "1988: Brook Trout Designated Michigan’s State Fish" 1991 : Dr. Kevorkian Barred From Assisting in Suicides 1991 : Dr. Kevorkian Barred From Assisting in Suicides Feb 5 all-day Tickets A Michigan court bars Dr Jack Kevorkian from assisting in suicides. Source : HistoryOrb.com For more information, see : Between the dying and the dead : Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s life and the battle to legalize … Continue reading "1991 : Dr. Kevorkian Barred From Assisting in Suicides"	6 1844: Grand Rapids versus Kent Name Finally Settled 1844: Grand Rapids versus Kent Name Finally Settled Feb 6 all-day Tickets In a letter written to his brother and sister December 23, 1833, describing his arrival here the previous summer, Joel Guild said: “After looking about for a home, I thought it best to move about … Continue reading "1844: Grand Rapids versus Kent Name Finally Settled" 1854 : First Student Arrives at Michigan Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind 1854 : First Student Arrives at Michigan Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Feb 6 all-day Tickets In 1848, the Michigan Legislature voted to establish a Michigan Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind in Flint. The first student arrived on February 6, 1854. After the School for the Blind was … Continue reading "1854 : First Student Arrives at Michigan Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind" 1905 : Merze Tate Born, First African American Graduate at Western Michigan University 1905 : Merze Tate Born, First African American Graduate at Western Michigan University Feb 6 all-day Tickets A professor, scholar and expert on United States diplomacy, Merze Tate was the first African American graduate of Western Michigan Teachers College, first African American woman to attend the University of Oxford, first African American … Continue reading "1905 : Merze Tate Born, First African American Graduate at Western Michigan University" 1924 : First Highway Signs Installed 1924 : First Highway Signs Installed Feb 6 all-day Tickets On February 6, 1924, the state highway department placed the first 10,000 metal signs along Michigan highways that notified drivers for the first time of railroad crossings, route markers, mileposts and danger points. These days, … Continue reading "1924 : First Highway Signs Installed" 1933 : Michigan Ratifies 20th Amendment 1933 : Michigan Ratifies 20th Amendment Feb 6 all-day Tickets Michigan ratifies the 20th amendment. The 20th Amendment sets January 20th as the ending date for presidential and vice presidential terms. It also sets a succession line for the presidency. Source: Michigan History 1950 : City of Livonia Incorporates 1950 : City of Livonia Incorporates Feb 6 all-day Tickets On Feb. 6, 1950, the city of Livonia was born. The new 36-square-mile city was formally known as Livonia Township, but voters supported incorporation 2,011 to 1,741. In square area, Livonia became the second largest … Continue reading "1950 : City of Livonia Incorporates" 1974 : Truck Drivers’ Strike Against High Diesel Prices Turns Violent 1974 : Truck Drivers’ Strike Against High Diesel Prices Turns Violent Feb 6 all-day Tickets On February 6, 1974, it was day four of the 11-day 1974 truck drivers’ strike against high fuel prices when things turned particularly violent. In Washtenaw County, a livestock truck driver was injured by flying … Continue reading "1974 : Truck Drivers’ Strike Against High Diesel Prices Turns Violent" 2015 : Congressman John Lewis Visits MSU Campus 2015 : Congressman John Lewis Visits MSU Campus Feb 6 all-day Tickets Having suffered more than 40 arrests, physical attacks and serious injuries, John Lewis is often called “one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement has ever produced.” He began participating in sit-ins at … Continue reading "2015 : Congressman John Lewis Visits MSU Campus" 2018 : Former Congressman Joe Knollenberg Dies 2018 : Former Congressman Joe Knollenberg Dies Feb 6 all-day Tickets Former U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, 84, who served Oakland County in Congress for 16 years, died today from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease, a longtime family friend, Mike Murray informed MIRS today. Knollenberg is the father … Continue reading "2018 : Former Congressman Joe Knollenberg Dies" 2021 : Sturgeon Season Starts on Black Lake (Date Varies) 2021 : Sturgeon Season Starts on Black Lake (Date Varies) Feb 6 all-day Tickets Andrew LaLonde poses with his 60-inch sturgeon, the final fish taken during the two-hour sturgeon season on Black Lake. Kelly House, “Long odds, short season: Michigan sturgeon a zany conservation success“, Bridge, February 8, 2021. … Continue reading "2021 : Sturgeon Season Starts on Black Lake (Date Varies)"	7 1812 : New Madrid Earthquake Felt in Michigan 1812 : New Madrid Earthquake Felt in Michigan Feb 7 all-day Tickets The New Madrid earthquake, centered in New Madrid, Missouri, was felt in Michigan and all along the East Coast. For more information, see New Madrid Earthquakes 1811-1812 wikipedia entry. What’s It Like to Live on … Continue reading "1812 : New Madrid Earthquake Felt in Michigan" 1976 : Detroiter Sheila Young First American to Win Three Medals At Winter Olympics 1976 : Detroiter Sheila Young First American to Win Three Medals At Winter Olympics Feb 7 all-day Tickets On February 7, 1976, Detroiter Sheila Young became the first American to win three medals in one Winter Olympics. Her medals — one gold (500 meters), one silver (1500 meters), and one bronze (1000 meters) … Continue reading "1976 : Detroiter Sheila Young First American to Win Three Medals At Winter Olympics" 1994 : Lake Superior Freezes Over (Completely) 1994 : Lake Superior Freezes Over (Completely) Feb 7 all-day Tickets On February 7, 1994, satellite images showed that Lake Superior had completely frozen over, although the lake’s center showed a very thin layer of ice that covered the water. The pictures appeared to settle the … Continue reading "1994 : Lake Superior Freezes Over (Completely)" 2014 : Governor Snyder Congratulates Michigan’s Olympians 2014 : Governor Snyder Congratulates Michigan’s Olympians Feb 7 all-day Tickets Gov. Rick Snyder today congratulated 13 Michigan athletes competing in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia: “I congratulate all of Michigan’s Olympians competing in this year’s winter games for the tremendous honor they … Continue reading "2014 : Governor Snyder Congratulates Michigan’s Olympians" 2014 : President Barack Obama Visits MSU To Sign Farm Bill 2014 : President Barack Obama Visits MSU To Sign Farm Bill Feb 7 all-day Tickets President Barack Obama will visit Michigan State University today to sign the $956 billion farm bill and highlight agriculture’s importance to the economy after it received Senate approval Tuesday, the White House confirmed. Obama is … Continue reading "2014 : President Barack Obama Visits MSU To Sign Farm Bill" 2017 : Betsy Devos Confirmed As U.S. Secretary of Education 2017 : Betsy Devos Confirmed As U.S. Secretary of Education Feb 7 all-day Tickets Michigan native Betsy Devos is now the U.S. Secretary of Education after being confirmed by the tightest vote for a presidential cabinet nominee in U.S. Senate history — 51 to 50. Vice President Pence cast … Continue reading "2017 : Betsy Devos Confirmed As U.S. Secretary of Education" 2018 : Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Quarter Officially Launched 2018 : Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Quarter Officially Launched Feb 7 all-day Tickets The United States Mint and the National Park Service launched the “America the Beautiful” Quarters Program coin honoring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore of Michigan … Continue reading "2018 : Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Quarter Officially Launched" 2019 : Congressman John Dingell Jr. Dies 2019 : Congressman John Dingell Jr. Dies Feb 7 all-day Tickets Former U.S. Rep. John David Dingell Jr., who was one of the U.S. House’s most powerful chairmen and helped write and pass some of the most consequential legislation in the nation’s history, died Thursday. He was 92. … Continue reading "2019 : Congressman John Dingell Jr. Dies"	8 1818 : Future Governor Austin Blair Born 1818 : Future Governor Austin Blair Born Feb 8 all-day Tickets Born in New York on February 8, 1818, Austin Blair moved to Jackson, Michigan in 1841. Strongly opposed to slavery, Blair helped to found the Republican Party in 1854 and served in the state legislature … Continue reading "1818 : Future Governor Austin Blair Born" 1951 : State Office Fire Decimates Michigan Government Archives 1951 : State Office Fire Decimates Michigan Government Archives Feb 8 all-day Tickets On February 8, 1951, a fire caused over $4,000,000 damage to the state’s 28-year-old seven story office building at 300 S. Walnut. Numbed by temperatures that dipped to 10 below zero, firemen from five cities … Continue reading "1951 : State Office Fire Decimates Michigan Government Archives" 1973 : Beggar’s Banquet Opens in East Lansing 1973 : Beggar’s Banquet Opens in East Lansing Feb 8 all-day Tickets On this day, Beggar’s Banquet opened in East Lansing, Michigan. Founded by Robert Adler, a MSU graduate student, and three friends, Charlie Rose, Christopher Blunt, and Martin Richard, the restaurant’s name was taken from a … Continue reading "1973 : Beggar’s Banquet Opens in East Lansing" 1985 : Stroh’s Brewery in Detroit Announces Closing 1985 : Stroh’s Brewery in Detroit Announces Closing Feb 8 all-day Tickets Historical marker text : Leaving the chaos of the 1848 German Revolution, Bernhard Stroh emigrated from Kirn, Germany, to South America. He soon decided to try his fortune in another German settlement, and in 1850 … Continue reading "1985 : Stroh’s Brewery in Detroit Announces Closing" 1997 : Detroit Red Wing Coach Scotty Bowman Wins 1000th Regular Season Game 1997 : Detroit Red Wing Coach Scotty Bowman Wins 1000th Regular Season Game Feb 8 all-day Tickets On February 8, 1997, Detroit Red Wing coach Scotty Bowman won the 1,000th regular season game of his storied career, a 6-5 overtime victory over the Penguins at the “Igloo” in Pittsburgh (ironically, the previous … Continue reading "1997 : Detroit Red Wing Coach Scotty Bowman Wins 1000th Regular Season Game" 2018 : Michigan Tech Celebrates Winter Carnival 2018 : Michigan Tech Celebrates Winter Carnival Feb 8 all-day Tickets Welcome to Winter Carnival 2018 Myths and Tales of the Past in Our Frigid Forecast February 8–11, 2018 Organized by Blue Key National Honor Society since 1934, Winter Carnival started in 1922 and has grown … Continue reading "2018 : Michigan Tech Celebrates Winter Carnival" 2021 : Mary Wilson, Founding Member of The Supremes, Dies 2021 : Mary Wilson, Founding Member of The Supremes, Dies Feb 8 all-day Tickets Mary Wilson, a founding member of The Supremes, died Monday at her home in Las Vegas, her publicist said. She was 76. Wilson, who grew up in a housing project in Detroit, was an original … Continue reading "2021 : Mary Wilson, Founding Member of The Supremes, Dies"	9 1847 : Holland Founded 1847 : Holland Founded Feb 9 all-day Tickets On this day, Dutch immigrants fleeing religious persecution and economic distress followed their leader Rev. Albertus Van Raalte to West Michigan and founded Holland. Sources : Zlati Meyer, “City of Holland Founded by Dutch”, Detroit … Continue reading "1847 : Holland Founded" 1864 : Elizabeth Clift Bacon Marries George Armstrong Custer 1864 : Elizabeth Clift Bacon Marries George Armstrong Custer Feb 9 all-day Tickets George Armstrong Custer, the famous Army general who grew up in Monroe, married Monroe native Elizabeth Clift Bacon on February 9, 1864. Bacon, known as Libbie, was the only surviving daughter of an important local … Continue reading "1864 : Elizabeth Clift Bacon Marries George Armstrong Custer" 1864 : Lt. Colonel William McCreery Escapes Libby Prison 1864 : Lt. Colonel William McCreery Escapes Libby Prison Feb 9 all-day Tickets February 9, 1864 The Great Escape, American Civil War era. In one of the Civil War’s great prison escapes, William McCreery of Flint was one of many Union officers who tunneled their way out of … Continue reading "1864 : Lt. Colonel William McCreery Escapes Libby Prison" 1934 : Vanderbilt Records 51 Degress Below Zero, A Record Low 1934 : Vanderbilt Records 51 Degress Below Zero, A Record Low Feb 9 all-day Tickets February 9, 1934 was the coldest day ever recorded in Michigan history, according to the National Weather Service. It was 51 degrees below in Vanderbilt in Otsego County. For the full article, see Zlati Meyer, … Continue reading "1934 : Vanderbilt Records 51 Degress Below Zero, A Record Low" 942 : Detroit Auto Plants Turn Out Last Civilian Car; Refocuses on War Production 942 : Detroit Auto Plants Turn Out Last Civilian Car; Refocuses on War Production Feb 9 all-day Tickets Pictured here is the last pre-war Packard to come off the line. On February 9, 1942, production of civilian automobiles was halted across all manufacturers in Detroit, as the city shifted to wartime production and … Continue reading "942 : Detroit Auto Plants Turn Out Last Civilian Car; Refocuses on War Production"	10 1763 : Treaty of Paris Signed, Transferring Michigan From France to England 1763 : Treaty of Paris Signed, Transferring Michigan From France to England Feb 10 all-day Tickets On February 10, 1763, England and France formally ended the French and Indian War with the Treaty of Paris, which officially transferred Michigan from French to British rule. By that time, English troops had already … Continue reading "1763 : Treaty of Paris Signed, Transferring Michigan From France to England" 1922 : Detroit Symphony Conducts First Radio Concert 1922 : Detroit Symphony Conducts First Radio Concert Feb 10 all-day Tickets The Detroit Symphony became the first orchestra to have a concert broadcast on the radio on this day in 1922. From 1934 to 1942, the orchestra performed for millions across the country as the official … Continue reading "1922 : Detroit Symphony Conducts First Radio Concert" 1923 : Detroit Historical Society Holds First Annual Meeting 1923 : Detroit Historical Society Holds First Annual Meeting Feb 10 all-day Tickets On February 10, 1923, the first annual meeting of the Detroit Historical Society was held, featuring a discussion of the Underground Railroad. Today, the Detroit Historical Museum features a permanent exhibit on the same topic. … Continue reading "1923 : Detroit Historical Society Holds First Annual Meeting" 1962 : George Romney Announces His Candidacy for Michigan Governor 1962 : George Romney Announces His Candidacy for Michigan Governor Feb 10 all-day Tickets In 1962, who announced his ultimately successful candidacy for governor of Michigan? Republican George Romney, father of Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney. Source : Today’s Test, Detroit Free Press, February 10, 2012. 2011 : President Obama Visits Marquette and Northern Michigan University 2011 : President Obama Visits Marquette and Northern Michigan University Feb 10 all-day Tickets President Barack Obama held up the city of Marquette and Northern Michigan University (NMU) today as examples of how the United States can meet his State of the Union goal of having wireless Internet available … Continue reading "2011 : President Obama Visits Marquette and Northern Michigan University" 2013 : Tiny Frankfort, MI Celebrates One of Its Sons at the Grammy Awards 2013 : Tiny Frankfort, MI Celebrates One of Its Sons at the Grammy Awards Feb 10 all-day Tickets They pulled out all the stops tonight in tiny Frankfort, about 40 miles west of Traverse City, with native son Andrew Dost up for six Grammys with his band Fun. About 200 townsfolk — one-sixth … Continue reading "2013 : Tiny Frankfort, MI Celebrates One of Its Sons at the Grammy Awards" 2014 : Belle Isle Becomes 102nd Michigan State Park 2014 : Belle Isle Becomes 102nd Michigan State Park Feb 10 all-day Tickets Belle Isle became Michigan’s 102nd state park Monday as the state Department of Natural Resources began running the island park in a move that is expected to save the city up to $6 million a … Continue reading "2014 : Belle Isle Becomes 102nd Michigan State Park" 2016 : Michigan Tech Sets 3 World Records in One Day 2016 : Michigan Tech Sets 3 World Records in One Day Feb 10 all-day Tickets A Winter World Record Trifecta In what we believe is something akin to the spirit of the whole “when life gives you lemons” sentiment, the hardy folks of Michigan Technological University capitalized on the Keweenaw … Continue reading "2016 : Michigan Tech Sets 3 World Records in One Day" 2017 : Mike Ilitch Dies, Pizza Magnate, Legendary Sports Owner 2017 : Mike Ilitch Dies, Pizza Magnate, Legendary Sports Owner Feb 10 all-day Tickets Michael “Mike” Ilitch was born on the east side of Detroit three months before the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929. His parents, Sotir and Sultana Ilitch, were Macedonian immigrants with Sotir working … Continue reading "2017 : Mike Ilitch Dies, Pizza Magnate, Legendary Sports Owner" 2018: Michigan Tech Strives for World’s Record 2018: Michigan Tech Strives for World’s Record Feb 10 all-day Tickets Michigan Technological University has unofficially broken the world record for the most snowmen built within an hour. The previous record was 2,036 held by Japan. Michigan Tech beat that record with a total … Continue reading "2018: Michigan Tech Strives for World’s Record"	11 1847 : Thomas Edison Born, the Wizard of Menlo Park 1847 : Thomas Edison Born, the Wizard of Menlo Park Feb 11 all-day Tickets On February 11, 1847, inventor Thomas Edison was born in Ohio, before his family moved to Port Huron when Edison was seven. He was home schooled by his mother. Edison sold fruits and vegetables on … Continue reading "1847 : Thomas Edison Born, the Wizard of Menlo Park" 1859 : Michigan Legislature Incorporates Isabella County 1859 : Michigan Legislature Incorporates Isabella County Feb 11 all-day Tickets On February 11, 1859 the state legislature organized Isabella County and a commission was appointed by the governor to establish the county seat at Isabella Centre. Less than a year later, residents voted to move … Continue reading "1859 : Michigan Legislature Incorporates Isabella County" 1923 : MAC’s Hockey Team Claims First-Ever Victory 1923 : MAC’s Hockey Team Claims First-Ever Victory Feb 11 all-day Tickets February 11, 1923 — MAC’s hockey team claims its first-ever victory, a 6-1 win over the Lansing Independents. More about MAC/MSU Hockey: The first record of an ice hockey game is from January 11, 1922, … Continue reading "1923 : MAC’s Hockey Team Claims First-Ever Victory" 1936 : Actor Burt Reynolds Born in Lansing, Michigan 1936 : Actor Burt Reynolds Born in Lansing, Michigan Feb 11 all-day Tickets On February 11, 1936 a son was begat to Burton Milo and Fern (Miller) Reynolds. Burton Leon Reynolds, or “Burt Reynolds” as he is more commonly known, was born and spent his first years at … Continue reading "1936 : Actor Burt Reynolds Born in Lansing, Michigan" 1937: General Motors Recognizes UAW 1937: General Motors Recognizes UAW Feb 11 all-day Tickets On February 11, 1937, after a three-month series of sit-down strikes across the United States and Canada, General Motors recognized the United Auto Workers union. On Feb. 11, 1937, the 44-day Flint Sit-Down Strike ended … Continue reading "1937: General Motors Recognizes UAW" 1965 “Martin Luther King, Jr. Visits MSU and Delivers Speech 1965 “Martin Luther King, Jr. Visits MSU and Delivers Speech Feb 11 all-day Tickets On February 11, 1965, more than 4,000 students and community residents attended a campus visit and lecture by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. It was standing room only in the Auditorium, with the overflow … Continue reading "1965 “Martin Luther King, Jr. Visits MSU and Delivers Speech" 1974 : Lansing Police Break Up Striking Motor Wheel Protest 1974 : Lansing Police Break Up Striking Motor Wheel Protest Feb 11 all-day Tickets Fifty helmeted Lansing Police wielding riot sticks waded into an angry crowd of striking Motor Wheel workers early this morning, resulting in a bloody clash that sent two pickets to the hospital, and brought the … Continue reading "1974 : Lansing Police Break Up Striking Motor Wheel Protest" 2011 : Odessa Smalls-Arthur Featured in Big Ten’s Celebrating Black History Month 2011 : Odessa Smalls-Arthur Featured in Big Ten’s Celebrating Black History Month Feb 11 all-day Tickets Odessa Smalls-Arthur was selected as George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year at Michigan State University in 1987. A sprinter extraordinaire, she blazed her way to a record 13 Big Ten titles, including all four … Continue reading "2011 : Odessa Smalls-Arthur Featured in Big Ten’s Celebrating Black History Month" 2014 : Justin S. Morrill Plaza and Kiosk Dedicated in Memory of Morrill Hall 2014 : Justin S. Morrill Plaza and Kiosk Dedicated in Memory of Morrill Hall Feb 11 all-day Tickets Dozens of people gathered Tuesday morning at Morrill Plaza, where 113-year-old Morrill Hall once stood, for a dedication ceremony and the unveiling of the new brick kiosk. The kiosk, which contains salvaged brick from Morrill … Continue reading "2014 : Justin S. Morrill Plaza and Kiosk Dedicated in Memory of Morrill Hall" 2022 : Iron River’s Nick Baumgartner Wins Gold Medal in Olympic Mixed Team Snowboard 2022 : Iron River’s Nick Baumgartner Wins Gold Medal in Olympic Mixed Team Snowboard Feb 11 all-day Tickets In four Olympics, Iron River’s Nick Baumgartner was missing just one thing. “One of these medals,” he said tearfully after a 10th-place finish in men’s snowboard cross on Thursday. He finally got it two days … Continue reading "2022 : Iron River’s Nick Baumgartner Wins Gold Medal in Olympic Mixed Team Snowboard"
12 1781 : Spanish Seize Ft. St. Joseph in Southwest Michigan 1781 : Spanish Seize Ft. St. Joseph in Southwest Michigan Feb 12 all-day Tickets In revenge for an earlier attack on the Spanish Post of St. Louis, a Spanish force captured the British Fort St. Joseph (present Niles, Michigan) and raised Spain’s flag over Michigan on February 12, 1781 … Continue reading "1781 : Spanish Seize Ft. St. Joseph in Southwest Michigan" 1855 : Governor Bingham Signs Legislation Creating Agricultural College of the State of Michigan 1855 : Governor Bingham Signs Legislation Creating Agricultural College of the State of Michigan Feb 12 all-day Tickets The date February 12 has special significance in the history of Michigan State University. It was on February 12, 1855 that Michigan Governor Kinsley S. Bingham signed into law the legislation that established the Agricultural … Continue reading "1855 : Governor Bingham Signs Legislation Creating Agricultural College of the State of Michigan" 1855 : Manitou County, Michigan Created; Dissolved 40 Years Later 1855 : Manitou County, Michigan Created; Dissolved 40 Years Later Feb 12 all-day Tickets Did you ever hear of Manitou County? You can easily find it on a map – a map of Leelanau County, that is. And a Charlevoix County map, too, for that matter. “This county was … Continue reading "1855 : Manitou County, Michigan Created; Dissolved 40 Years Later" 1859 : Ionia and Houghton Lake State Road Financed by Public Act 117 1859 : Ionia and Houghton Lake State Road Financed by Public Act 117 Feb 12 all-day Tickets In 1850 Congress passed the Swamp Land Act, which transferred certain federal lands in eight states, including Michigan, to state control for disposal by sale. Under this act, the Michigan Land Office eventually received nearly … Continue reading "1859 : Ionia and Houghton Lake State Road Financed by Public Act 117" 1944 : German Soldiers Arrive at POW Camps in UP 1944 : German Soldiers Arrive at POW Camps in UP Feb 12 all-day Tickets Members of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Corps arrived at Camps Evelyn and Sidnaw. Eventually approximately 1000 were held at 5 different POW Camps in the UP. Others were sent to camps in the lower … Continue reading "1944 : German Soldiers Arrive at POW Camps in UP" 2010 : Mark Grimmette, Muskegon, MI, Official Flagbearer for USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver 2010 : Mark Grimmette, Muskegon, MI, Official Flagbearer for USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver Feb 12 all-day Tickets Mark Grimmette of Muskegon carries the USA flag during the opening ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Muskegon’s native son represented his country, his sport and his friends and family watching back home … Continue reading "2010 : Mark Grimmette, Muskegon, MI, Official Flagbearer for USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver" 2015 : Harry Belafonte Visits MSU Campus; Delivers Second Installment of 2015 Slavery to Freedom Lecture Series 2015 : Harry Belafonte Visits MSU Campus; Delivers Second Installment of 2015 Slavery to Freedom Lecture Series Feb 12 all-day Tickets Born in Harlem and raised in Jamaica, Harry Belafonte is legend for his artistic work as a singer, stage and screen actor, and producer. His RCA album “Calypso” made him the first in history to … Continue reading "2015 : Harry Belafonte Visits MSU Campus; Delivers Second Installment of 2015 Slavery to Freedom Lecture Series" 2018 : Art Van Elslander Dies, Michigan Philanthropist and Founder of Art Van Furniture 2018 : Art Van Elslander Dies, Michigan Philanthropist and Founder of Art Van Furniture Feb 12 all-day Tickets Archie A. Van Elslander, who was known as “Mr. Van” and founded what became one of the largest independent furniture retailers in the United States, passed away on February 12, 2018, at the age of … Continue reading "2018 : Art Van Elslander Dies, Michigan Philanthropist and Founder of Art Van Furniture" 2021 : Chinese New Year 2021 : Chinese New Year Feb 12 all-day Tickets Say goodbye to the Year of the Rat and hello to the Year of the Ox. Lunar New Year – also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival – began Friday, February 12, 2021, … Continue reading "2021 : Chinese New Year"	13 1855 : Michigan Pushes Back Against Fugitive Slave Law 1855 : Michigan Pushes Back Against Fugitive Slave Law Feb 13 all-day Tickets On Feb. 13, 1855, the Michigan Legislature moved to protect escaped slaves. To counter the harsh provisions of the 1850 federal Fugitive Slave Law, which forced the return of African Americans who had escaped the … Continue reading "1855 : Michigan Pushes Back Against Fugitive Slave Law" 1938 : Lansing Flooded 1938 : Lansing Flooded Feb 13 all-day Tickets Lansing experienced the worst flood conditions in two decades after a six-hour deluge…. Scores of intersections were flooded, the depth of the water measuring from a few inches to five and six feet. Lightning struck … Continue reading "1938 : Lansing Flooded" 1985 : No More Two-for-One Drink Specials During Happy Hours 1985 : No More Two-for-One Drink Specials During Happy Hours Feb 13 all-day Tickets Ann Arbor bar patrons reacted to a new statewide ban on two-for-one drink specials during happy hours. The state originally passed the ban to cut down on the number of drunken drivers. “If they’re going … Continue reading "1985 : No More Two-for-One Drink Specials During Happy Hours" 2015 : Holland-Dozier-Holland Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 2015 : Holland-Dozier-Holland Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Feb 13 all-day Tickets The Motown songwriting/producing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland (comprising Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland) were honored Friday morning with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. H-D-H, all products of Detroit schools, were famous … Continue reading "2015 : Holland-Dozier-Holland Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame" 2018 : Detroit Tigers Begin Spring Training 2018 : Detroit Tigers Begin Spring Training Feb 13 all-day Tickets PUBLIX FIELD AT JOKER MARCHANT STADIUM, Lakeland, Florida Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers will report Tuesday, February 13, 2018, and participate in their first official workout on Wednesday. The rest of the squad is … Continue reading "2018 : Detroit Tigers Begin Spring Training" 2023 : Gunman Kills 3 Students at MSU 2023 : Gunman Kills 3 Students at MSU Feb 13 all-day Tickets The suspect who shot eight Michigan State University students — three fatally — on Monday evening had no evident ties to campus, police said at an 8 a.m. press conference. Police are still searching for … Continue reading "2023 : Gunman Kills 3 Students at MSU" Paczki Day (Date Varies) Paczki Day (Date Varies) Feb 13 all-day Tickets Video Note: Commentator Mo Rocca traveled to Hamtramck for CBS Sunday Morning to get this report on Pazcki Day. It may be Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but in Michigan its called … Continue reading "Paczki Day (Date Varies)"	14 1824 : Annarbour Plat of Land Named for Wives 1824 : Annarbour Plat of Land Named for Wives Feb 14 all-day Tickets In about 1774, the Potawatomi founded two villages in the area of what is now Ann Arbor On February 14, 1824, John Allen and Elisha Rumsey staked their claim to what they called “Annarbour” and … Continue reading "1824 : Annarbour Plat of Land Named for Wives" 1853 : Detroit Board of Water Commissioners Created 1853 : Detroit Board of Water Commissioners Created Feb 14 all-day Tickets Following the establishment of the City of Detroit in 1701, the supply of drinking water in Detroit and its surroundings evolved from individuals collecting water daily from the river in leather buckets, to horse-driven pumps … Continue reading "1853 : Detroit Board of Water Commissioners Created" 1855 : Horatio Earle Born, Michigan’s First Highway Commissioner 1855 : Horatio Earle Born, Michigan’s First Highway Commissioner Feb 14 all-day Tickets Before a mile of Michigan roadway was paved or a centerline painted, before Henry Ford rolled his first Model A off the assembly line, there was Horatio “Good Roads” Earle. At the turn of the … Continue reading "1855 : Horatio Earle Born, Michigan’s First Highway Commissioner" 1914 : Nancy Harkness Love Born; First Commander of the WASPS During WWII 1914 : Nancy Harkness Love Born; First Commander of the WASPS During WWII Feb 14 all-day Tickets On this day, Nancy Harkness Love of the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots was born in Houghton, Michigan. Overcoming great odds, she was instrumental in the opening of military aviation to women. After receiving her … Continue reading "1914 : Nancy Harkness Love Born; First Commander of the WASPS During WWII" 1933 : Governor Comstock Closes Michigan Banks 1933 : Governor Comstock Closes Michigan Banks Feb 14 all-day Tickets In the midst of the Great Depression, it appeared the Union Guardian Trust Company would default and that would lead to a rush on Michigan’s banks. After meeting with banking officials, Governor William A. Comstock … Continue reading "1933 : Governor Comstock Closes Michigan Banks" 1967 : Aretha Franklin Releases RESPECT 1967 : Aretha Franklin Releases RESPECT Feb 14 all-day Tickets On February 14, 1967, a little-known gospel singer from Detroit went into a New York City recording studio to try to jump-start her career. No one saw it coming, but the song Aretha Franklin laid … Continue reading "1967 : Aretha Franklin Releases RESPECT" 2002 : Dick Gregory Speaks at MSU 2002 : Dick Gregory Speaks at MSU Feb 14 all-day Tickets Dick Gregory, a leader in the United States Civil Rights movement, speaks at Michigan State University for the William G. Anderson Slavery to Freedom lecture series, Feb 14, 2002. Dick Gregory wikipedia entry 2013 : Official State Song Controversy 2013 : Official State Song Controversy Feb 14 all-day Tickets The Challenger: Rep. Frank Foster (R-Petoskey) introduced HB 4263 to make “Michigan Man,” by Mike Ridley of Iron River, the official state song. The Official “Michigan Man Music Video” by Mike Ridley. Mike Ridley has … Continue reading "2013 : Official State Song Controversy" 2015 : Poet Philip Levine Dies, Former Detroit Resident, Pulitzer Prize Winner and Poet Laureate of U.S. 2015 : Poet Philip Levine Dies, Former Detroit Resident, Pulitzer Prize Winner and Poet Laureate of U.S. Feb 14 all-day Tickets Not all of Philip Levine’s poetry was about his hometown of Detroit, but a lot of it was. And as this son of Russian immigrants rose from the streets to win the Pulitzer Prize and … Continue reading "2015 : Poet Philip Levine Dies, Former Detroit Resident, Pulitzer Prize Winner and Poet Laureate of U.S." Celebrate Valentine’s Day Like a Wolverine Celebrate Valentine’s Day Like a Wolverine Feb 14 all-day Tickets Here are five ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day like a true wolverine, courtesy of Michiganders Post, February 14, 2014. 1. Send theses guys to Grandpa and Grandma’s 2. Snuggle 3. Go for a romantic stroll … Continue reading "Celebrate Valentine’s Day Like a Wolverine" Happy Valentine’s Day Cards from Yesteryear Happy Valentine’s Day Cards from Yesteryear Feb 14 all-day Tickets Click here to see a Valentine’s Day Card from 1921. Click here for another Valentine’s Day Card from 1930. A few more from 1935 and 1937. A to my valentine card from Germany, no date … Continue reading "Happy Valentine’s Day Cards from Yesteryear" Happy Valentine’s Day from the U.S. Department of Interior Happy Valentine’s Day from the U.S. Department of Interior Feb 14 all-day Tickets Dear Friend, Last week we asked you to send us photos and videos of your engagements or weddings on America’s public lands and we have been blown away by your responses! Unfortunately we could not … Continue reading "Happy Valentine’s Day from the U.S. Department of Interior" Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day Feb 14 all-day Tickets Believe it or not, Valentine’s Day was not created by the greeting card companies. While no one knows for sure how this day became such a big holiday, there are several historical events that may … Continue reading "Valentine’s Day" Valentine’s Day In Old Detroit (1842) Valentine’s Day In Old Detroit (1842) Feb 14 all-day Tickets In 1842, young men in Detroit secretly delivered their valentines by hand, as the U.S. Postal Service had not yet set up shop in Detroit. Detroiter John Webb Chester recalled those days when he was … Continue reading "Valentine’s Day In Old Detroit (1842)"	15 1859 : Lansing, Michigan Incorporates As A City 1859 : Lansing, Michigan Incorporates As A City Feb 15 all-day Tickets A pair of New York speculators plotted and marketed a non-existent city known as “Biddle City”. The New Yorkers that bought into the idea arrive in Lansing to discover that the plots they had bought … Continue reading "1859 : Lansing, Michigan Incorporates As A City" 1898 : Battleship Maine Explodes, Claiming Michigander Lives 1898 : Battleship Maine Explodes, Claiming Michigander Lives Feb 15 all-day Tickets Bay City’s 33rd Regiment established the first Michigan National Guard’s hospital corps during the Spanish-American War, according to Prof. Jeremy Kilar. Fate intervened 119 years ago and took the life of a sailor from West … Continue reading "1898 : Battleship Maine Explodes, Claiming Michigander Lives" 1915 : Ionia Mayor and Future Governor Fred Green Pitches Idea for First Ionia Free Fair 1915 : Ionia Mayor and Future Governor Fred Green Pitches Idea for First Ionia Free Fair Feb 15 all-day Tickets The “free fair” project was launched at the Ionia Businessman’s “solidarity” meeting on February 15, 1915. At that time, Mayor Fred Green, who was to later become the Governor of Michigan, presented his plans for … Continue reading "1915 : Ionia Mayor and Future Governor Fred Green Pitches Idea for First Ionia Free Fair" 1921 : Red Scare Grips Michigan 1921 : Red Scare Grips Michigan Feb 15 all-day Tickets 25 citizens of Michigan were deported to Russia during the first Red Scare of the 1920s. Source : Historical Society of Michigan For further reading, see Young J. Edgar : Hoover, the Red Scare, and … Continue reading "1921 : Red Scare Grips Michigan" 1926 : Dearborn Hosts First Contract Airmail Service in Country 1926 : Dearborn Hosts First Contract Airmail Service in Country Feb 15 all-day Tickets On Feb. 15, 1926, the nation’s first contract airmail service began from Dearborn to Cleveland. Ford Motor Company’s Ford Air Transport provided the service, as well as a similar service from Dearborn to Chicago. Note … Continue reading "1926 : Dearborn Hosts First Contract Airmail Service in Country" 1935 : Astronaut Roger Bruce Chaffee Born 1935 : Astronaut Roger Bruce Chaffee Born Feb 15 all-day Tickets Astronaut Roger Bruce Chaffee was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on this day. Chaffee graduated from high school in 1953 with his sights on an engineering career. In pursuit of this goal, he entered … Continue reading "1935 : Astronaut Roger Bruce Chaffee Born"	16 1819 : First Congressional Election Held in Michigan Territory 1819 : First Congressional Election Held in Michigan Territory Feb 16 all-day Tickets Residents in the Territory of Michigan voted in a congressional election for the first time electing William Woodbridge as a non-voting member of the US House of Representatives. William Woodbridge actually served from March 1819 … Continue reading "1819 : First Congressional Election Held in Michigan Territory" 1897 : Pere Marquette, First All-Steel Carferry, Makes First Run 1897 : Pere Marquette, First All-Steel Carferry, Makes First Run Feb 16 all-day Tickets The first all-steel railroad carferry, Pere Marquette 15, made its first crossing between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wisconsin on this day in 1897. The ferry, built by F.W. Wheeler & Company of Bay City, departed on … Continue reading "1897 : Pere Marquette, First All-Steel Carferry, Makes First Run" 1926 : Ski Jumpers Inaugerate Suicide Hill in Ishpeming 1926 : Ski Jumpers Inaugerate Suicide Hill in Ishpeming Feb 16 all-day Tickets A Michigan tradition : ski jumpers launching themselves off of the jump at Suicide Hill or Suicide Bowl in Ishpeming. According to the Historical Society of Michigan, the first jump occurred on February 16, 1926. … Continue reading "1926 : Ski Jumpers Inaugerate Suicide Hill in Ishpeming" 1935 : Sonny Bono Born in Detroit 1935 : Sonny Bono Born in Detroit Feb 16 all-day Tickets On February 16, 1935, Salvatore “Sonny” Bono of “Sonny and Cher” fame was born in Detroit to Italian immigrant parents. Bono’s “I Got You Babe,” released in 1965, one year after his marriage to Cherilyn … Continue reading "1935 : Sonny Bono Born in Detroit" 1972 : Jerome Bettis Born in Detroit 1972 : Jerome Bettis Born in Detroit Feb 16 all-day Tickets Jerome Bettis will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. He is one of the most iconic running backs of the last 20 years, a hard-hitting throwback with one of the … Continue reading "1972 : Jerome Bettis Born in Detroit" 1974 : One Big Fish Story 1974 : One Big Fish Story Feb 16 all-day Tickets On February 16, 1974, Joe Maka of Grand Haven speared the largest fish ever caught in Michigan waters — a 193-pound, 87 inch long sturgeon — at Mullett Lake in Cheboygan County. On the other … Continue reading "1974 : One Big Fish Story" 2019 : Rare Lynx Spotted in Michigan 2019 : Rare Lynx Spotted in Michigan Feb 16 all-day Tickets Hunter Soper, 16 from Lexington, MI caught this rare lynx walking through his front yard on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 9:30 am. His dog woke him by barking at the lynx that she spotted … Continue reading "2019 : Rare Lynx Spotted in Michigan"	17 1844 : Aaron Montgomery Ward Born, Founder of Montgomery Ward and Co. 1844 : Aaron Montgomery Ward Born, Founder of Montgomery Ward and Co. Feb 17 all-day Tickets Well Aaron Montgomery Ward was actually born in Chatham, New Jersey. However he moved to Niles, Michigan with his family in 1853. Though he only attended school through his 14th year, Monty learned much while … Continue reading "1844 : Aaron Montgomery Ward Born, Founder of Montgomery Ward and Co." 1864 : First Michigan Colored Infantry Mustered Into Service 1864 : First Michigan Colored Infantry Mustered Into Service Feb 17 all-day Tickets On February 17, 1864, the First Michigan Michigan Colored Infantry was mustered into service during the Civil War and fought with distinction in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.. The unit was later renamed the 102nd … Continue reading "1864 : First Michigan Colored Infantry Mustered Into Service" 1918 : Michigan’s German and Austrian-Born Residents Face Possible Internment or Deportation 1918 : Michigan’s German and Austrian-Born Residents Face Possible Internment or Deportation Feb 17 all-day Tickets On February 17, 1918, the U.S. Department of Justice sent instructions to “war bureaus” throughout Michigan to arrest all German aliens who had failed to register. As a result, many of Michigan’s 80,000 German-born and … Continue reading "1918 : Michigan’s German and Austrian-Born Residents Face Possible Internment or Deportation" 1933 : Two Arrested in Lansing for Prohibition Violations 1933 : Two Arrested in Lansing for Prohibition Violations Feb 17 all-day Tickets February 17, 1933 Two men were held by police on charges of violating the state liquor law following raids here late Thursday night and early Friday morning. Police confiscated a small amount of home brew … Continue reading "1933 : Two Arrested in Lansing for Prohibition Violations" 2004 : MI Senate Forbids Breastfeeding in Front Seat of Car 2004 : MI Senate Forbids Breastfeeding in Front Seat of Car Feb 17 all-day Tickets Put your babies in the back seat! On February 17, 2014, the Michigan Senate passed (30-7) a bill forbidding mothers from breast-feeding their children in the front seat of a car. Source: MIRS Capitol Capsule Bulletin, … Continue reading "2004 : MI Senate Forbids Breastfeeding in Front Seat of Car" 2014 : Two University of Michigan Students, Davis and White, Win America’s First Gold Medal in Ice Dancing 2014 : Two University of Michigan Students, Davis and White, Win America’s First Gold Medal in Ice Dancing Feb 17 all-day Tickets They grew up together in Oakland County, from the time they were nine years old, sharing childhood, adolescence and a passionate love for skating. After a journey of 17 years in which they held hands … Continue reading "2014 : Two University of Michigan Students, Davis and White, Win America’s First Gold Medal in Ice Dancing" 2015 : Judge Richard Enslen Dies, Remembered for Forcing MHSAA to Comply with Title IX 2015 : Judge Richard Enslen Dies, Remembered for Forcing MHSAA to Comply with Title IX Feb 17 all-day Tickets udge Richard Enslen died Feb. 17 at age 83. He is remembered for forcing the MHSAA to comply with Title IX, the federal law banning sex discrimination in school settings. Enslen’s rulings in the case … Continue reading "2015 : Judge Richard Enslen Dies, Remembered for Forcing MHSAA to Comply with Title IX" 2018 : 49th Spartan Stampede Rodeo Held, Selects First African-American Rodeo Queen 2018 : 49th Spartan Stampede Rodeo Held, Selects First African-American Rodeo Queen Feb 17 all-day Tickets February 16-18, 2018 Michigan State sophomore, Khalilah Smith, rides around the school’s livestock pavilion during the 49th annual Spartan Stampede Sunday afternoon. Saturday, Smith was named the first African-American Rodeo Queen in MSU history. (Photo: Angela … Continue reading "2018 : 49th Spartan Stampede Rodeo Held, Selects First African-American Rodeo Queen" 2018 : Michigan State University Basketball Team Pulls Biggest Comeback in Big Ten History 2018 : Michigan State University Basketball Team Pulls Biggest Comeback in Big Ten History Feb 17 all-day Tickets Michigan State pulled off the biggest comeback in Big Ten history Saturday afternoon, erasing a 27-point deficit to pull off a 65-60 road win over Northwestern. The comeback also ranks as the fifth-largest in Division-I … Continue reading "2018 : Michigan State University Basketball Team Pulls Biggest Comeback in Big Ten History" 2022 : UP200 Dogsled Race (Date Varies) 2022 : UP200 Dogsled Race (Date Varies) Feb 17 all-day Tickets February 16-18, 2018 February 15-17, 2009 February 17-21, 2022 The UP200 is one of the top 12-dog mid-distance races in the Midwest, as well as being an Iditarod qualifier. The UP200 trail covers 230 … Continue reading "2022 : UP200 Dogsled Race (Date Varies)"	18 1815 : Treaty of Ghent Proclaimed, Ending War of 1812 1815 : Treaty of Ghent Proclaimed, Ending War of 1812 Feb 18 all-day Tickets On February 18, 1815, the Treaty of Ghent was officially proclaimed, ending the War of 1812, and officially returning Mackinac Island to the United States. Since news travelled slowly back then, the British garrison did … Continue reading "1815 : Treaty of Ghent Proclaimed, Ending War of 1812" 1842 : the Michigan Legislature Calls for Public School System in Detroit 1842 : the Michigan Legislature Calls for Public School System in Detroit Feb 18 all-day Tickets On February 18, 1842, the Michigan legislature approved the organization of a public school system in Detroit. Today they are still debating how to finance it! Source : Historical Society of Michigan. 1895 : George Gipp of Notre Dame Fame Was Born on the Keweenaw Peninsula 1895 : George Gipp of Notre Dame Fame Was Born on the Keweenaw Peninsula Feb 18 all-day Tickets Born in Laurium, Michigan, on the Keweenaw Peninsula, George Gipp entered Notre Dame intending to play baseball for the Fighting Irish, but was recruited by Knute Rockne for the football team, despite having no experience … Continue reading "1895 : George Gipp of Notre Dame Fame Was Born on the Keweenaw Peninsula" 1977 : Troy Man Sets Record Balloon Flight from Michigan 1977 : Troy Man Sets Record Balloon Flight from Michigan Feb 18 all-day Tickets On February 18, 1977, Karl Thomas, a 28-year-old adventurer from Troy, landed his hot-air balloon on a remote island 15 miles northeast of Jacksonville, Fla., ending a record 18-day solo voyage across the United States. … Continue reading "1977 : Troy Man Sets Record Balloon Flight from Michigan" 2014 : Lauryn Williams of Detroit Wins Silver Medal; First Woman to Win Medals in Both Summer and Winter Olympic Games 2014 : Lauryn Williams of Detroit Wins Silver Medal; First Woman to Win Medals in Both Summer and Winter Olympic Games Feb 18 all-day Tickets Elana Meyers and brakeman Lauryn Williams — who spent a good part of her childhood in Detroit — win a silver medal in the two-person bobsled competition at the Winter Olympics. After 4 heats they … Continue reading "2014 : Lauryn Williams of Detroit Wins Silver Medal; First Woman to Win Medals in Both Summer and Winter Olympic Games"
19 1830 : Michigan’s First Temperance Organization Formed 1830 : Michigan’s First Temperance Organization Formed Feb 19 all-day Tickets On February 19, 1830, Michigan’s first temperance organization — the Detroit Society for the Suppression of Intemperance — was organized. Its first President was General Charles Larned, a veteran of both the Revolutionary War and … Continue reading "1830 : Michigan’s First Temperance Organization Formed" 1866 : First African-American Cookbook Published in Michigan 1866 : First African-American Cookbook Published in Michigan Feb 19 all-day Tickets Malinda Russell never set out to make history. Her aim was to make a living. Little did she know that the self-published pamphlet she penned in Paw Paw would become the pivot point in reshaping … Continue reading "1866 : First African-American Cookbook Published in Michigan" 1896 : Detroit Metro Convention And Visitors Bureau Forms, First of Its Kind 1896 : Detroit Metro Convention And Visitors Bureau Forms, First of Its Kind Feb 19 all-day Tickets On February 19, 1896, the Detroit Convention and Businessmen’s League was formed. Now known as the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, it was the first organization of its kind in the world. See what … Continue reading "1896 : Detroit Metro Convention And Visitors Bureau Forms, First of Its Kind" 1940 : William “Smokey” Robinson Born in Detroit 1940 : William “Smokey” Robinson Born in Detroit Feb 19 all-day Tickets As lead singer of the group Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Robinson performed hits like “The Tears of a Clown” and “The Tracks of My Tears.” As a producer and writer, he lent his skills … Continue reading "1940 : William “Smokey” Robinson Born in Detroit" 1943 : First War-Worker Dawn Show Debuts at Fox 1943 : First War-Worker Dawn Show Debuts at Fox Feb 19 all-day Tickets On February 19, 1943, the first “war-worker dawn show” had more than 9,000 war plant workers from the night shift attending its 2 a.m. show. Workers were encouraged to “come as you are” and enjoy … Continue reading "1943 : First War-Worker Dawn Show Debuts at Fox" 1955 : Jeff Daniels Born, Actor, Musician, Playright 1955 : Jeff Daniels Born, Actor, Musician, Playright Feb 19 all-day Tickets Although Jeff Daniels was born in Athens, Georgia, he was raised in Chelsea, Michigan. A famous actor, musician, and playright, Daniels lives in Chelsea, Michigan where he opened the Purple Rose Theater. Some of his … Continue reading "1955 : Jeff Daniels Born, Actor, Musician, Playright" 1970 : Tigers’ Pitcher Denny McLain Suspended 1970 : Tigers’ Pitcher Denny McLain Suspended Feb 19 all-day Tickets Professional baseball’s last 30-game winner, Denny McLain was the first major-league baseball player suspended since 1924. McLain was later sent to prison when found guilty of charges of racketeering. For more information, see “Detroit Tiger … Continue reading "1970 : Tigers’ Pitcher Denny McLain Suspended" 1976 : Gerald Ford Issues Proclamation 4417, An American Promise 1976 : Gerald Ford Issues Proclamation 4417, An American Promise Feb 19 all-day Tickets On February 19, 1976, President Gerald Ford signed the proclamation “An American Promise.” It formally announced the termination Executive Order 9066, the measure that had resulted in the uprooting of Japanese Americans and their detainment … Continue reading "1976 : Gerald Ford Issues Proclamation 4417, An American Promise" 2015 : Angela Davis Visits University of Michigan-Flint 2015 : Angela Davis Visits University of Michigan-Flint Feb 19 all-day Tickets With the prison-industrial complex, racism, police brutality, anti-Arab and anti-Muslim discrimination, and more on the table, Angela Davis didn’t leave any activist’s stone unturned during her visit to Flint on Thursday. The iconic civil rights … Continue reading "2015 : Angela Davis Visits University of Michigan-Flint" 2021 : President Biden Visits Pfizer Facilities in Portage, MI 2021 : President Biden Visits Pfizer Facilities in Portage, MI Feb 19 all-day Tickets President Biden is in Portage, Michigan, where he is visiting one of the three manufacturing plants where Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is produced, according the White House. Governor Whitmer accompanied him on the tour. The President … Continue reading "2021 : President Biden Visits Pfizer Facilities in Portage, MI"	20 1908 : Lansing’s Porter Hack and Livery Burns 1908 : Lansing’s Porter Hack and Livery Burns Feb 20 all-day Tickets A Porter coach at the front of the Union Depot, which would later be converted into Clara’s Restaurant. Back in the day when you arrived by train, you would have taken a horse-drawn coach from … Continue reading "1908 : Lansing’s Porter Hack and Livery Burns" 1909 : Hudson Motor Car Company Organized 1909 : Hudson Motor Car Company Organized Feb 20 all-day Tickets By 1909 it was obvious that the automobile was not just a passing fad, nor was it a toy for the wealthy. In Detroit, Michigan, a group of eight businessmen organized a new company to … Continue reading "1909 : Hudson Motor Car Company Organized" 1929 : Michigan Governor Fred Green Participates in the First Aviation Junket in State History 1929 : Michigan Governor Fred Green Participates in the First Aviation Junket in State History Feb 20 all-day Tickets Michigan Governor Fred W. Green and 15 other state officials flew from Lansing to Kalamazoo for a conference — the first aviation junket in state history. More About Governor Green Clearly one of Michigan’s “Good … Continue reading "1929 : Michigan Governor Fred Green Participates in the First Aviation Junket in State History" 1962 : MSU Kellogg Center Crowd Watches America’s First Astronaut To Circle Earth 1962 : MSU Kellogg Center Crowd Watches America’s First Astronaut To Circle Earth Feb 20 all-day Tickets About five minutes previous to blast off time Tuesday, some 150 students, professors, visitors and workmen crowded into the lobby of Kellogg center to watch Astronaut John Glenn rocket into history. Viewers sat on … Continue reading "1962 : MSU Kellogg Center Crowd Watches America’s First Astronaut To Circle Earth" 1992 : Dick York Dies, Actor 1992 : Dick York Dies, Actor Feb 20 all-day Tickets Richard Allen “Dick” York (September 4, 1928 – February 20, 1992) was an American actor. He is best remembered as Darrin Stephens on “Bewitched,” the mortal husband of wife Samantha Stephens. Dick was a beloved … Continue reading "1992 : Dick York Dies, Actor" 2023 : Michigan’s First African American House Speaker 2023 : Michigan’s First African American House Speaker Feb 20 all-day Tickets Public service is in Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate’s blood. “My dad was a firefighter for the city of Detroit, and my mom was a public school teacher in Detroit,” said Tate. Their acts of … Continue reading "2023 : Michigan’s First African American House Speaker"	21 1849 : Detroit Common Council Calls for City Physician 1849 : Detroit Common Council Calls for City Physician Feb 21 all-day Tickets Almost from its beginnings, Detroit has always sought physicians to care for the health of its citizens. In 1829 and 1837, there were small-pox outbreaks. On February 21 1849 the Detroit Common Council passes an … Continue reading "1849 : Detroit Common Council Calls for City Physician" 1865 : Michigan African American Troops Help Liberate Charleston, South Carolina 1865 : Michigan African American Troops Help Liberate Charleston, South Carolina Feb 21 all-day Tickets Four Ypsilantians participated at this iconic moment, the liberation of Charleston, South Carolina. Entering the ruins of the town singing “John Brown’s Body,” the freedom fighters of the 55th Massachusetts Infantry liberate the citadel … Continue reading "1865 : Michigan African American Troops Help Liberate Charleston, South Carolina" 1904 : National Ski Association Organized in Ishpeming 1904 : National Ski Association Organized in Ishpeming Feb 21 all-day Tickets Attracted to the abundant snows of the western Upper Peninsula, Norway native Carl Tellefsen quickly made his mark on the local skiing scene, eventually serving as founder and first president of the National Ski Association. … Continue reading "1904 : National Ski Association Organized in Ishpeming" 1965 : Malcolm X Assassinated 1965 : Malcolm X Assassinated Feb 21 all-day Tickets Today is the anniversary of Malcolm X’s assassination. Malcolm X was also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. An influential African-American Muslim minister, public speaker, and human rights activist, he once said: “If you don’t stand … Continue reading "1965 : Malcolm X Assassinated" 1978 : House Cats Protected From Hunters 1978 : House Cats Protected From Hunters Feb 21 all-day Tickets On February 21, 1978, 75 fifth graders jammed into Gov. William G. Milliken’s office to watch him sign into law their bill protecting house cats from hunters. The St. Clair elementary school students initiated the … Continue reading "1978 : House Cats Protected From Hunters" 2014 : U.S. Navy Reveals the 6th U.S.S. Detroit’s Official Crest 2014 : U.S. Navy Reveals the 6th U.S.S. Detroit’s Official Crest Feb 21 all-day Tickets The British built the first USS Detroit at Malden, Canada, in 1813. Although the 6th U.S.S. Detroit is still under construction at the Lockheed Martin Marinette Shipyard in Marinette, Wis., and won’t be launched … Continue reading "2014 : U.S. Navy Reveals the 6th U.S.S. Detroit’s Official Crest" 2018 : Red Cedar Floods MSU Campus, East Lansing 2018 : Red Cedar Floods MSU Campus, East Lansing Feb 21 all-day Tickets February 21-23, 2018 Warmer temperatures and strong rains are leading to flooding on MSU’s campus, causing road and parking lot closures as campus personnel work to mitigate potential flood damage along the Red Cedar River. … Continue reading "2018 : Red Cedar Floods MSU Campus, East Lansing" 2020 : 3 Millionth Vehicle at Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant 2020 : 3 Millionth Vehicle at Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant Feb 21 all-day Tickets A 2020 Chevrolet Traverse Premier Redline Edition (color: Silver Ice Metallic) that drove off the line at GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant on Friday morning was cheered by hundreds of facility employees, GM officials … Continue reading "2020 : 3 Millionth Vehicle at Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant"	22 1837 : Michigan’s First State Flag Unfurled 1837 : Michigan’s First State Flag Unfurled Feb 22 all-day Tickets Michigan’s first state flag debuted Feb. 22, 1837. According to the State of Michigan’s Department of History, Arts and Libraries, it was also known as the Brady Guard flag when it was first presented by … Continue reading "1837 : Michigan’s First State Flag Unfurled" 1875 : George DeBaptiste Dies, Noted Abolitionist and Underground Railroad Conductor 1875 : George DeBaptiste Dies, Noted Abolitionist and Underground Railroad Conductor Feb 22 all-day Tickets George DeBaptiste (1814-1875) was a prominent member of Detroit’s pre-Civil War black community and a leading figure in the underground railroad, in addition to being a barber, bakery proprietor, once-owner of the steamer T. Whitney, … Continue reading "1875 : George DeBaptiste Dies, Noted Abolitionist and Underground Railroad Conductor" 1888: Benjamin Harrison Declares His Presidential Candidacy 1888: Benjamin Harrison Declares His Presidential Candidacy Feb 22 all-day Tickets Benjamin Harrison declared his Candidacy for President at the Michigan Club in Detroit while giving a speech on Washington’s Birthday. Benjamin Harrison Fun Facts and Trivia 1973 : Hermus Millsaps of Taylor Wins First Michigan Lottery Million Dollar Prize 1973 : Hermus Millsaps of Taylor Wins First Michigan Lottery Million Dollar Prize Feb 22 all-day Tickets Gus Harrison, the Michigan lottery’s first commissioner, fondly recalled the first winner — Hermus Millsaps of Taylor — who walked away with $1 million on Feb. 22, 1973. “He was 53 years old, a native … Continue reading "1973 : Hermus Millsaps of Taylor Wins First Michigan Lottery Million Dollar Prize" 2006 : Michigan Shorelines Remain Open to Walkers 2006 : Michigan Shorelines Remain Open to Walkers Feb 22 all-day Tickets The U.S. Supreme Court has sidestepped a dispute over the time-honored tradition of walking along Michigan’s Great Lakes beaches, declining to hear an appeal. The court on Tuesday let stand the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling … Continue reading "2006 : Michigan Shorelines Remain Open to Walkers" 2015 : Detroit Native and Actor J. K. Simmons Wins Oscar 2015 : Detroit Native and Actor J. K. Simmons Wins Oscar Feb 22 all-day Tickets The Detroit native (born in Detroit on January 9, 1955) and veteran character actor J. K. Simmons ended his brilliant award season with the ultimate prize, a best supporting actor Oscar for “Whiplash.” Then the … Continue reading "2015 : Detroit Native and Actor J. K. Simmons Wins Oscar" 2019 : Detroit Tigers Practice Games Start in Leland, Florida 2019 : Detroit Tigers Practice Games Start in Leland, Florida Feb 22 all-day Tickets Tiger Fans Visit Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida The Detroit Tigers will begin their 2019 season on February 22 with its annual exhibition game against the Southeastern University Fire at the … Continue reading "2019 : Detroit Tigers Practice Games Start in Leland, Florida"	23 1802: Detroit Adopts Fire Regulations 1802: Detroit Adopts Fire Regulations Feb 23 all-day Tickets On February 23, 1802, adoption of fire regulations marked the beginnings of the City Of Detroit Fire Department. Sources: Detroit Historical Society Detroit Fire Department Legacy.com 1870: Michigan Agricultural College Opens Its Doors to Women for the First Time 1870: Michigan Agricultural College Opens Its Doors to Women for the First Time Feb 23 all-day Tickets On February 23, 1870, what was then known as State Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) opened its doors to 10 female students. These women, ranging in age from 16 to 23 – studied subjects … Continue reading "1870: Michigan Agricultural College Opens Its Doors to Women for the First Time" 1882 : St. Ignace, Michigan’s Second-Oldest Continuous Settlement, Incorporated 1882 : St. Ignace, Michigan’s Second-Oldest Continuous Settlement, Incorporated Feb 23 all-day Tickets The Village of St. Ignace in Mackinac County was incorporated. The village is Michigan’s second-oldest continuous settlement and remains the county seat of Makinac County until this day. Source : Michigan Historical Calendar, courtesy of … Continue reading "1882 : St. Ignace, Michigan’s Second-Oldest Continuous Settlement, Incorporated" 1911 : Soapy Williams Born, Future Michigan Governor 1911 : Soapy Williams Born, Future Michigan Governor Feb 23 all-day Tickets No matter which party you support, former Governor G. Mennen “Soapy’’ Williams demonstrates how a single leader can change a state and its culture rapidly. He served six terms as Governor of Michigan from 1949 … Continue reading "1911 : Soapy Williams Born, Future Michigan Governor" 1945 : Detroiter Helped Raise Flag on Iwo Jima 1945 : Detroiter Helped Raise Flag on Iwo Jima Feb 23 all-day Tickets It’s arguably the most iconic photograph of World War II: six faceless figures straining together to plant the Stars and Stripes on Mount Suribachi, high above the volcanic killing grounds of Iwo Jima. The powerful … Continue reading "1945 : Detroiter Helped Raise Flag on Iwo Jima" 1999: Sister Helen Prejean Speaks Against Death Penalty 1999: Sister Helen Prejean Speaks Against Death Penalty Feb 23 all-day Tickets Sister Helen Prejean, author of the best-selling book turned movie, Dead Man Walking, today came to Michigan to warn policy-makers to “look down the road” before putting the death penalty on the ballot. “I am … Continue reading "1999: Sister Helen Prejean Speaks Against Death Penalty"	24 1844 : Olivet College Founded 1844 : Olivet College Founded Feb 24 all-day Tickets Olivet College, Michigan’s first coeducational college and the first college to admit blacks, was established on this day in February 24, 1844. The college — named for Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives — didn’t get a … Continue reading "1844 : Olivet College Founded" 1928 : Marijuana Outlawed in Detroit 1928 : Marijuana Outlawed in Detroit Feb 24 all-day Tickets On February 24, 1928, the use of marijuana was outlawed in Detroit. Interestingly, no state or federal restrictions were on the books at that time. In 2012 the Detroit City Government is attempting to keep … Continue reading "1928 : Marijuana Outlawed in Detroit" 1942 : Sonny Eliot, Legendary Detroit Weatherman, Shot Down Over Germany 1942 : Sonny Eliot, Legendary Detroit Weatherman, Shot Down Over Germany Feb 24 all-day Tickets Sonny Eliot, the legendary Detroit weatherman whose career in television and radio spanned over 60 years was a Prisoner of War during World War II. Eliot enlisted after Pearl Harbor and became a B-24 bomber … Continue reading "1942 : Sonny Eliot, Legendary Detroit Weatherman, Shot Down Over Germany" 2013 : Roy Brown, Mr. Edsel, Dies 2013 : Roy Brown, Mr. Edsel, Dies Feb 24 all-day Tickets Automotive designer Roy Brown Jr., who died on Feb. 24 at age 96 in Ann Arbor, Mich., had a long and mostly successful career for Ford, but he’s best remembered for one spectacular miscalculation. The … Continue reading "2013 : Roy Brown, Mr. Edsel, Dies"	25 1779 : Henry Hamilton, British Military Governor from Detroit, Forced to Surrender to George Rogers Clark 1779 : Henry Hamilton, British Military Governor from Detroit, Forced to Surrender to George Rogers Clark Feb 25 all-day Tickets The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville on the morning of February 25, 1779. British Lieutenant-Governor Henry Hamilton and his garrison marched out of the fort at 10 a.m. and surrendered to … Continue reading "1779 : Henry Hamilton, British Military Governor from Detroit, Forced to Surrender to George Rogers Clark" 1861 : Albion College Authorized 1861 : Albion College Authorized Feb 25 all-day Tickets On February 25, 1861, Albion College was authorized by the state legislature to confer 4-year degrees on men and women. The school began as an outpost that offered education to the children of early Michigan … Continue reading "1861 : Albion College Authorized" 2018 : Blue Ice Brings Summer-Like Tourism Boost to Mackinaw City 2018 : Blue Ice Brings Summer-Like Tourism Boost to Mackinaw City Feb 25 all-day Tickets Hotels and restaurants along the Straits of Mackinac have seen an infusion of cold cash. “My tips have gone from $30 or $50 a day to $200 or $300,” said Megan MacLeod, a waitress at the … Continue reading "2018 : Blue Ice Brings Summer-Like Tourism Boost to Mackinaw City"
26 1800 : Lucius Lyon Born, First Elected Michigan Senator 1800 : Lucius Lyon Born, First Elected Michigan Senator Feb 26 all-day Tickets On February 26, 1800, Lucius Lyon was born in Vermont. Lyon was the first elected U.S. senator to represent Michigan, but he had to be a non-voting member at first until Michigan became a state … Continue reading "1800 : Lucius Lyon Born, First Elected Michigan Senator" 1809: Michigan Territory Authorizes Local Taxes for Schools 1809: Michigan Territory Authorizes Local Taxes for Schools Feb 26 all-day Tickets On February 26, 1809, the Michigan territorial Gov. William Hull and the three judges of the Michigan Territory framed “an act concerning schools,” which allowed for the creation of local taxes of $2 to $4 … Continue reading "1809: Michigan Territory Authorizes Local Taxes for Schools" 1836 : William Austin Burt receives a patent for his solar compass 1836 : William Austin Burt receives a patent for his solar compass Feb 26 all-day Tickets During the 1830s and 1840s, Burt and his crew surveyed much of Michigan. According to the U.S. surveyor general, Burt produced “the most satisfactory” work he had ever seen. Burt also invented the solar compass … Continue reading "1836 : William Austin Burt receives a patent for his solar compass" 1866 : Herbert Henry Dow Born, Founder of Dow Chemical 1866 : Herbert Henry Dow Born, Founder of Dow Chemical Feb 26 all-day Tickets February 26, 1866 : Herbert Henry Dow born. Died October 16, 1930. Herbert Dow, Age 3. The son of a mechanical engineer and inventor, Dow displayed prodigious abilities in many capacities at an early age. … Continue reading "1866 : Herbert Henry Dow Born, Founder of Dow Chemical" 1902 : First Detroit Automobile Show? 1902 : First Detroit Automobile Show? Feb 26 all-day Tickets February 26-March 1, 1902 Photo of the Detroit Light Guard Armory (Detroit Historical Society) Between February 26 and March 1, 1902, William E. Metzger, president of the Tri-State Automobile and Sporting Goods Association, charged the … Continue reading "1902 : First Detroit Automobile Show?" 1905 : Ann Arbor Mayor Cracks Down on Wayward Students 1905 : Ann Arbor Mayor Cracks Down on Wayward Students Feb 26 all-day Tickets On February 26, 1905, Ann Arbor’s Mayor Arthur Brown decided to crack down on the city’s wayward students. Any minor who attended a school in the state could not frequent any saloon, bar room, dance … Continue reading "1905 : Ann Arbor Mayor Cracks Down on Wayward Students" 1906: Nation’s First Shrine Circus Held in Detroit 1906: Nation’s First Shrine Circus Held in Detroit Feb 26 all-day Tickets On February 26, 1906, the nation’s first Shrine Circus was held in Detroit. It returns in April 2018 for its 112th year! By 1906, Detroit was a thriving commercial and manufacturing center with a budding … Continue reading "1906: Nation’s First Shrine Circus Held in Detroit" 1954 : Michigan Rep Introduces Bill To Ban Mailing Rock and Roll Records 1954 : Michigan Rep Introduces Bill To Ban Mailing Rock and Roll Records Feb 26 all-day Tickets On February 26, 1954, Michigan Rep Ruth Thompson (R) introduces legislation to ban mailing “obscene, lewd, lascivious or filthy” phonograph (rock & roll) records. Much more noteworthy, Thompson was elected as a Republican from Michigan’s … Continue reading "1954 : Michigan Rep Introduces Bill To Ban Mailing Rock and Roll Records" 1957 : Western Michigan University Becomes State’s 4th University 1957 : Western Michigan University Becomes State’s 4th University Feb 26 all-day Tickets On February 26, 1957, Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams signed a bill changing the name of Western Michigan College to Western Michigan University, making WMU the state’s 4th university. Note : Campus and community members … Continue reading "1957 : Western Michigan University Becomes State’s 4th University" 2004 : James Minder Forced to Step Down As CEO of Smith & Wesson 2004 : James Minder Forced to Step Down As CEO of Smith & Wesson Feb 26 all-day Tickets James Minder resigned as CEO of Smith & Wesson at age 74, the country’s second-biggest handgun maker, when it was revealed he worked his way through the University of Michigan as a stick-up man. Minder … Continue reading "2004 : James Minder Forced to Step Down As CEO of Smith & Wesson" 2014 : Henry Ford Museum Voted Top Ten Family Museum 2014 : Henry Ford Museum Voted Top Ten Family Museum Feb 26 all-day Tickets Savvy families have a new must-see list with the reveal of our readers’ winners for Best Museum for Families. Each of our winners makes an excellent destination on wet or chilly days, or a fun … Continue reading "2014 : Henry Ford Museum Voted Top Ten Family Museum" 2015 : Rev. Al Sharpton Speaks at MSU 2015 : Rev. Al Sharpton Speaks at MSU Feb 26 all-day Tickets As about 600 people assembled to hear a speech by the Rev. Al Sharpton at Michigan State University´s Wharton Center Feb. 26, several attendees noted, with a touch of regret, that they were missing the … Continue reading "2015 : Rev. Al Sharpton Speaks at MSU"	27 1702 : Comet Startles Native Americans and French Fur Traders in Michigan 1702 : Comet Startles Native Americans and French Fur Traders in Michigan Feb 27 all-day Tickets A comet streaked across the Michigan sky, alarming Native Americans and French fur traders. Source : Michigan History, January/February 2013. 1836 : Russell A. Alger Born 1836 : Russell A. Alger Born Feb 27 all-day Tickets Orphaned as a young boy, Russell Alger went on to study law and began a practice in Cleveland. During the Civil War, Alger became colonel of the Fifth and Sixth Michigan Regiments. After the war, … Continue reading "1836 : Russell A. Alger Born" 1899 : Michigan Agricultural College’s First Basketball Contest 1899 : Michigan Agricultural College’s First Basketball Contest Feb 27 all-day Tickets The March 7, 1899 issue of the MAC Record, an alumni publication, reveals that the M.A.C. Aggies played their first basketball game against Olivet, loosing 6-7. The teams were so evenly matched that at the … Continue reading "1899 : Michigan Agricultural College’s First Basketball Contest" 1989: Robert W. Claytor, Co-Founder of the Grand Rapids Urban League, Dies 1989: Robert W. Claytor, Co-Founder of the Grand Rapids Urban League, Dies Feb 27 all-day Tickets Robert W. Claytor, born September 26, 1897 to a farming couple in Floyd County, Virginia, was the youngest of 13 children. As youths, Claytor’s parents were slaves in the pre-Civil War South. To obtain his … Continue reading "1989: Robert W. Claytor, Co-Founder of the Grand Rapids Urban League, Dies" 2013 : Rosa Parks Honored With Bronze Statue in U.S. Capitol 2013 : Rosa Parks Honored With Bronze Statue in U.S. Capitol Feb 27 all-day Tickets The “small, quiet woman” from Detroit is getting a big honor. U.S. Capitol architect Stephen T. Ayers disclosed Thursday the statue of Rosa Parks that will be unveiled Wednesday — the first full-size statue to … Continue reading "2013 : Rosa Parks Honored With Bronze Statue in U.S. Capitol" 2016 : The Who Hits 50! Tour Kicks Off in Detroit 2016 : The Who Hits 50! Tour Kicks Off in Detroit Feb 27 all-day Tickets The Who Hits 50! Tour is appearing at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan on February 27, 2016. When The Who take the stage in Detroit, it will mark the beginning of a 28-date … Continue reading "2016 : The Who Hits 50! Tour Kicks Off in Detroit"	28 1832 : Detroit Arsenal Established in Dearbornville 1832 : Detroit Arsenal Established in Dearbornville Feb 28 all-day Tickets On February 28, 1832, the U.S. Congress established the Detroit Arsenal in Dearbornville. The actual site was selected in July and construction of 11 buildings started the next year. One of those buildings, the Commandant’s … Continue reading "1832 : Detroit Arsenal Established in Dearbornville" 1837 : Emma Hall Born, First Woman to Lead State Penal Institution 1837 : Emma Hall Born, First Woman to Lead State Penal Institution Feb 28 all-day Tickets Born February 28, 1837 on a farm in Lenawee County’s Raisin Township, Emma Hall was the second of her parents Reuben and Abby’s eight children. Most of the family relocated to Ypsilanti around 1870. Reuben’s … Continue reading "1837 : Emma Hall Born, First Woman to Lead State Penal Institution" 1907 : Detroit Hoping That A Bill To Allow Sunday Baseball Will Pass in Lansing 1907 : Detroit Hoping That A Bill To Allow Sunday Baseball Will Pass in Lansing Feb 28 all-day Tickets On February 28, 1907, the Detroit Free Press carried an article hoping that before the present week is ended, an act to legalize the playing of Sunday ball in any municipality, after a public referendum, … Continue reading "1907 : Detroit Hoping That A Bill To Allow Sunday Baseball Will Pass in Lansing" 1928 : Smoky The Bear Campaign Begins 1928 : Smoky The Bear Campaign Begins Feb 28 all-day Tickets On this day, the National Park Service launched the Smoky the Bear advertising campaign to prevent forest fires. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources also adopted Smoky for their own public service announcements and park … Continue reading "1928 : Smoky The Bear Campaign Begins" 1942 : Race Riot in Detroit 1942 : Race Riot in Detroit Feb 28 all-day Tickets A race riot broke out at the Sojourner Truth federal housing project in Detroit on Feb. 28, 1942, after white picketers protested African-American families moving in. Scores of people, including six police officers, were injured. … Continue reading "1942 : Race Riot in Detroit" 1952 : Coleman A. Young Stands Up to House Committee on Un-American Activities 1952 : Coleman A. Young Stands Up to House Committee on Un-American Activities Feb 28 all-day Tickets On February 28-29, 1952 the House Committee on Un-American Activities came to Detroit to hold a hearing to ferret out communists. Unintimidated by the Committee and its efforts to destroy the lives of those it … Continue reading "1952 : Coleman A. Young Stands Up to House Committee on Un-American Activities" 1962 : Blue Water International Bridge Stops Collecting Tolls 1962 : Blue Water International Bridge Stops Collecting Tolls Feb 28 all-day Tickets Mike Connell of the Port Huron Times Herald wrote that one of the oddest events in Swainson’s term as governor came on Feb. 28, 1962, when the federal government ordered Michigan to stop collecting tolls … Continue reading "1962 : Blue Water International Bridge Stops Collecting Tolls" 1977 : First MHSAA Televised Basketball Game 1977 : First MHSAA Televised Basketball Game Feb 28 all-day Tickets On February 28, 1977, Earvin “Magic” Johnson scored 27 points as Lansing Everett defeated Lansing Eastern in a district basketball game. The game was the first in Michigan High School Athletic Association history … Continue reading "1977 : First MHSAA Televised Basketball Game" 1992: Ecoterrorist Strikes at MSU 1992: Ecoterrorist Strikes at MSU Feb 28 all-day Tickets The front page of the Lansing State Journal Feb. 29, 1992. A firebomb attack the day before caused significant damage and destroyed decades of animal research. (Photo: Courtesy / Lansing State Journal Archives) In the early … Continue reading "1992: Ecoterrorist Strikes at MSU" 1995 : MSU Board of Trustees Votes to Affiliate With Detroit College of Law 1995 : MSU Board of Trustees Votes to Affiliate With Detroit College of Law Feb 28 all-day Tickets The Detroit Free Press reported that the MSU Trustees voted to affiliate with the Detroit College of Law today. The Detroit College of Law Trustees approved the motion last week. Interestingly enough, Wayne State University … Continue reading "1995 : MSU Board of Trustees Votes to Affiliate With Detroit College of Law" 2018 : William Webb Ferguson, First African-American Legislator Honored 2018 : William Webb Ferguson, First African-American Legislator Honored Feb 28 all-day Tickets A portrait of William Webb Ferguson, the first African-American to serve in the Michigan Legislature, was unveiled in the Capitol on Wednesday by the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus. William Henderson Video Governor Rick Snyder also … Continue reading "2018 : William Webb Ferguson, First African-American Legislator Honored" 2022 : Supreme Court Denies Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Reservation Claim 2022 : Supreme Court Denies Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Reservation Claim Feb 28 all-day Tickets In 2015, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians filed a lawsuit in which it claimed an 1855 treaty created a reservation of 337 square miles along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Emmet and … Continue reading "2022 : Supreme Court Denies Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Reservation Claim"

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