Michigan has played an incredible role in the survival of our nation and in the progression of the world. It was a last stop on the Underground Railroad, and nearly 90,000 Michiganders fought for the Union Army. Henry Ford’s assembly line and generous wages changed the way goods are produced. Detroit put the world on wheels and became the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II. Hitsville USA created the soundtrack of the 60s and 70s and factory workers fought for rights that nearly every American worker enjoys today.
Michigan’s Economic History
18th Century
It’s hard to believe that something that happened over ten thousand years ago, could have a significant affect on the economy today, but that is absolutely true in the case of what is now known
19th Century
The 19th century was marked by transportation advancements in and around the Great Lakes, and an unprecedented increase in population. At the start of the century there were less than 5,000 documented residents in the
20th Century
The 1900s was an era of remarkable change. It saw the world at war, mankind landing on the moon, and the creation of the Internet. Events like those forever changed the world, and certainly impacted
21st Century
In many ways the 21st century in Michigan has been driven by a need to recover, revitalize, and reinvent. At the start of the millennium the state was plagued with many challenges brought on by
Calendar of Events
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1 event,
Trains finally start between Detroit and Battle Creek
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 […]
1 event,
Sojourner Truth dies in Battle Creek
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 […]
1 event,
Detroit’s 1st Thanksgiving Day Parade rolls down Woodward
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.
1 event,
Detroit Lions play final game at Tiger Stadium
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.
1 event,
The Daniel J. Morell sinks in Lake Huron
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.
1 event,
Ford announces new lineup to replace the Model T
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 […]
