After a hot, dry summer, a forest fire began in northern Lapeer County on this day in 1881. Gales winds would fan the flames into an inferno that raged for three days, burning a million acres in Sanilac and Huron counties. At least 125 people died, and thousands more were left homeless. The fire was the first […]

William Nathan Ferris and his wife, Helen, opened the Big Rapids Industrial School in temporary quarters in the Vandersluis Block building in Big Rapids on this day in 1884. It would later become Ferris State University. W. N. Ferris went on to serve as governor from 1913-1916 and as a U.S. Senator from 1923-1928.

The SS Iosco, a wooden steamer, sank near the Huron Islands in Lake Superior on this day in 1905 after a big gale. The schooner was towing the Olive Jeanette, which also perished in the storm. A total of 26 crew members were lost in the event.

The Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence, was signed on this day in 1783. Through the treaty, the land that is now Michigan was granted to the United States; however, the British held onto the area and its profitable fur trade until the implementation of Jay's Treaty thirteen years later.

On September 4, 1957–“E-Day,” according to its advertising campaign–the Ford Motor Company unveiled the Edsel, the first new automobile brand produced by one of the Big Three car companies since 1938. It was a dismal failure that would become legendary.

On this day in 1818, forest fires started by farmers burning logger's slashings ran through Michigan's thumb area. After three days 282 people had died and 3,400 buildings were destroyed. The survivors were the first people to be helped by the newly organized American Red Cross.

On this day in 1940, the Michigan Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a ruling that women and men doing the same work should receive equal pay. The original court case was filed against General Motors by Florence St. Johns, an employee of the Oldmsobile division on behalf of herself and 28 other women. All concerned were […]

One of the state's most beloved holiday traditions, the Labor Day walk across the Mackinac Bridge started on this day in 1959. Each year thousands of people turn up to take the stroll, which is traditionally led by the standing governor.

In a controversial executive action, President Gerald Ford pardoned his disgraced predecessor Richard M. Nixon for any crimes he may have committed or participated in while in office. Ford later defended this action before the House Judiciary Committee, explaining that he wanted to end the national divisions created by the Watergate scandal.

On this day in 1938, the Detroit Lions moved their games to Briggs Stadium, which would later be known as Tiger Stadium. They continued to play there until moving to the Pontiac Silverdome in 1975.

On this day in 1942 the first B-24 Liberator Bomber, assembled through Ford’s automotive-style assembly process, was completed at the Willow Run plant. 24 more would be built that year. By April of 1944, the mighty factory was producing at an astonishing rate of a bomber-every-hour, contributing greatly to the Allied victory in World War II.

The Wright brothers brought an airplane to the West Michigan State Fair in Grand Rapids on this day in 1911. Throughout the week they offered select fair-goers their first chance to fly. The plane also raced an automobile to show off its speed during the fair.

Michigan's first expressway was opened on this day in 1942. It was a portion of US 12 between Detroit and Ford's Willow Run plant where bombers were being built as part of the war effort.

After tirelessly tending to the sick, Father Gabriel Richard himself succumbed to cholera on this day in 1832. He served as priest of St. Anne's Church in Detroit. Richard had helped found the University of Michigan, started the first newspaper, opened a school for Indian children, and served in the U.S. House of Representatives during his life.

On this day in 1968, Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain won his 30th game of the season, becoming the first 30-game winner in the major leagues since 1938. The Tigers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to come from behind in a 5-4 decision over the Oakland A’s. They would go on to win […]

The first classes were held at the Michigan Mining School in Houghton, on this day in 1886. The first post-secondary institution in the Upper Peninsula, the school was created to train mining engineers on how to operate the local copper mines. It is now known as Michigan Technological University.

The SS Hudson, an iron-hulled steamer, foundered in Lake Superior off Eagle River, on this day in 1901. The ship, the crew, and all of its cargo were lost. It is believed that she experienced a machinery or steering gear failure that led to an accident after a furious gale swept through Lake Superior.

At the request of its partner, Pennsylvania Railroad, Grand Trunk Western Railroad moved its carferry operations from Grand Haven to Muskegon on this day in 1933. At its peak, the company shipped over 800,000 short tons of freight a year across Lake Michigan.

Pope John Paul II visited the Detroit area on this day in 1987, capping off a U.S. tour. Among other stops, the Pope, who was famously of Polish descent, addressed a crowd of 50,000 in prodiminatly Polish Hamtramck, and performed mass for some 90,000 at the Pontiac Silverdome.

Melville R. Bissell of Grand Rapids patented the first carpet sweeper on this day in 1876. He ran a china shop and the straw used for packaging aggravated his allergies. He built a device to pick-up dirt rather than scatter dust. Bissell vacuums are still made today.

On this day in 1932, Detroit speedboat racer, Gar Wood, traveled faster than man had ever traveled on water before. His Miss America X was clocked at 124 MPH in a practice run on the St. Clair River near Algonac.

The gala opening of Detroit's Fox Theatre took place on this day in 1928. It featured the silent film ’’Street Angel’’ starring Janet Gaynor. The live show depicted a history of Detroit from its settlement in 1701 to the present. The movie palace contained 5,041 seats and a unique mix of Egyptian, Far Eastern and Indian styles.

American Legion sponsored the longest parade in Michigan's history on this day in 1931. The parade in Detroit lasted 8 hours and had 85,000 marchers and a million spectators. The crowds were so massive that nearly 2,000 people had to be treated for injuries and medical emergencies during the course of the day.

On this day in 1984, actor and Michigan native, Tom Selleck, hosted the 36th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony. During the course of the evening he was honored with an Emmy for his performance as Magnum P.I., a private detective in Hawaii, who famously war a Detroit Tigers baseball cap throughout the run of the series.

On this day in 1934, the Detroit Tigers clinched the American League pennant when the Red Sox took out the Yankees in a 5-0 win. Their victory left the Tigers ahead by six games, a number no team could eclipse. Detroit's 101-53 season was the best winning percentage in team history, yet they fell one game short […]

The NHL granted franchises to the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks on this day in 1926, making them part of what would commonly be referred to as the "Original Six" along with Toronto, Montreal, Boston, and New York.

On this day in 1894, the SS Ohio, a wooden-hulled freighter, collided with the schooner Ironton, which was being towed by another steamer in Lake Huron. Both ships sunk. The Ohio was amazingly found upright in 2017, over 122 years after her sinking, in over 200 feet of water near Presque Isle. The Ironton is still missing.

Lumber freighter, Three Brothers, left Boyne City with a load of hardwood in heavy weather on this day in 1911. The vessel began taking on water that overwhelmed the pumps. Capt. Sam Christopher elected to drive the vessel ashore on South Manitou Island, an act that destroyed the ship, but saved the lives of all onboard.

Songs in the Key of Life, the 18th studio album by Detroit's own, Stevie Wonder, was released by Motown Records on this day in 1976. It won 4 out of its 7 Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year, was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, and was named as one of the […]

Make Room for Daddy, starring Michigan native, Danny Thomas, premiered on ABC on this day in 1953. In addition to a hugely successful entertainment career, Thomas would become best known for his philanthropic efforts as founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Legendary Tigers ballplayer Hank Greenberg hit a grand slam in the ninth inning of the last game of the regular season to clinch the pennant for the Tigers on this day in 1945. Greenberg, who had missed spring training and games at the beginning of the season to serve his country in the military, still set a […]