In 1837 the State of Michigan proposed public funding for internal improvements, primarily railroads and canals, using federal funds and the states’ share of public land sales. Not long after, an economic depression known as the Panic of 1837 hit, making it difficult to raise adequate funds. Thus, train operations between Detroit and Battle Creek did not

Preacher, abolitionist, and women’s rights advocate Sojourner Truth died in Battle Creek, Michigan on this day in 1883. Truth was born into slavery as "Isabella." Bought and sold four times, until she escaped with her baby in 1826, she devoted her life to fighting for human rights. Though she traveled a great deal, she made her home in Battle

Founded by J.L. Hudson's, the legendary department store, Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade rolled down Woodward Avenue for the first time on this day in 1924. The first iteration featured horses pulling a float decorated with Mother Goose, four papier-mâché heads and seven marching bands. The tradition has grown considerably over the years.

The Detroit Lions played their final game at Tiger Stadium on this day in 1974, before a Thanksgiving Day crowd of 51,157 and a national viewing audience of 35 million. They subsequently moved to the Pontiac Silverdome, where they played until Ford Field opened in 2002.

After enduring 20-ft swells and 60-mph winds, the Daniel J. Morell came apart during a brutal storm in Lake Huron on this day in 1966. The 600-ft ship sank and 32 of 33 crew members perished. Several other ships were run aground and severely damaged from the icy gale winds in the same storm.

On this day in 1927, Ford Motor Company announced its new lineup of cars, which were meant to replace the Model T, a vehicle that was believed to have made Henry Ford the richest man in the world at that time. The Tudor Sedan sold for $495 and the Roadster sold for $385. Production would grow from