On this day in 1781, a Spanish force captured Fort St. Joseph, raising Spain’s flag over Michigan. In 1855, Governor Kinsley S. Bingham established The Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, later MSU, which became the prototype for land-grant institutions.

On this day in 1847, inventor Thomas Edison was born. He acquired 1,093 patents and innovated the phonograph, light bulb, and motion picture camera. In 1936, actor Burt Reynolds was born in Lansing, Michigan. In 1937, GM recognized the UAW as the sole bargaining unit for its workers.

On this day in 1763, the Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War, transferring Michigan from French to British rule. In 1922, the Detroit Symphony became the first orchestra to broadcast a concert on the radio. In 2014, Belle Isle became Michigan’s 102nd state park.

On this day in 1934, Vanderbilt, Michigan, recorded the state's coldest temperature at -51°F. In 1942, Detroit's auto manufacturers halted civilian car production to support the war effort, earning the city the nickname "Arsenal of Democracy."

On this day in 1997, Detroit Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman won his 1,000th regular season game. Also, in 1906, chess master Gisela Kahn Gresser was born in Detroit. She became the first American woman to achieve Master standing and be inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame.

On this day in 1976, Detroiter Sheila Young became the first American to win three medals in one Winter Olympics. In 1994, satellite images showed Lake Superior completely frozen over. In 2017, Betsy DeVos was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Education by a historic tie-breaking vote.

On this day in 1844, the Grand Rapids vs. Kent dispute was settled, officially naming it Grand Rapids. In 1905, Merze Tate was born in Blanchard, Michigan. She became the first African American woman to achieve numerous academic milestones and joined Howard University's History Department.

On this day in 1959, Governor Jennifer Granholm was born. She made history as Michigan's first woman Attorney General and Governor, and later served as US Secretary of Energy. In 1991, Dr. Jack Kevorkian was barred from assisting in suicides. In 1988, the Brook trout was designated as Michigan’s state fish.

On this day in 1902, Charles Lindbergh was born in Detroit. He became the first person to fly nonstop across the Atlantic in 1927. In 1948, Vincent Furnier, known as Alice Cooper, was born in Detroit, famous for his elaborate stage props and dark performances.

On this day in 1838, passengers rode the Michigan Central Railroad from Detroit to Ypsilanti for the first time. In 1944, Detroit Red Wing’s Sydney Howe scored a double hat trick. In 1865, Michigan ratified the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery.