In 1914, John and Horace Dodge produced the first Dodge automobile, the four-cylinder Model 30, known as “Old Betsy,” at their Hamtramck facility. In 2013, Detroit Tiger Miguel Cabrera was named back-to-back AL MVP, overcoming numerous injuries in the final months. Additionally, in 1857, Francis B. Gilbert inaugurated Grand Rapids' first gas street lamp, leading to significant gas sales in its first year.

Born on this day in 1922, Suzanne Upjohn Delano Parish co-founded the Air Zoo and famously flew a bright pink P-40 Warhawk during WWII. Though she joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) two years late, she logged ten times the required flight hours. She continued performing in air shows until her 70s and was inducted into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame in 1994 for her contributions to aviation and philanthropy.

On this day in 1904, Herbert Hughes made headlines when a chicken he beheaded ran around for another 17 days, drawing tourists to Sault Ste. Marie. In 1862, Michigan State Agricultural College (now MSU) held its first graduation ceremony, delayed by the Civil War. Additionally, in 1909, the first mile of paved concrete road was laid on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, marking a significant development in Michigan's infrastructure.

On this day in 1928, the Fisher Theater opened in Detroit, later remodeled for a more intimate experience. In 1975, Mariner Church tolled its bells 29 times for the crew lost on the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, a tradition lasting until 2006. Additionally, in 2011, Michigan State became the first Big Ten team to play on an aircraft carrier, honoring veterans in a game against the University of North Carolina aboard the USS Carl Vinson.

On this day in 1975, a fierce storm claimed the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior, taking down the largest ship lost on the Great Lakes along with 29 crew members. The tragedy inspired Gordon Lightfoot to write “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which became a Number 2 hit almost a year later, immortalizing the disaster in song.

On this date in 2013, the newest U.S. Navy aircraft carrier was named after Michigan's only president, Gerald R. Ford, with notable attendees like Senator Carl Levin and Susan Ford Bales. Additionally, in 1895, Detroit witnessed the last trip of a horse-drawn car before the arrival of electric public transit, marked by a crowd that celebrated its end with a bit of chaos.

On this day in 1870, African Americans gained the right to vote in Michigan state elections, thanks to the 15th Amendment. In 2002, Eminem released "8 Mile," a film based on his life in Detroit’s hip-hop scene. Additionally, in 1874, Frank Baldwin of Constantine, Michigan, became one of only 19 servicemen to receive the U.S. Medal of Honor twice for his bravery in battle.

This week in 1913, a devastating storm struck the Great Lakes, sinking 19 ships and claiming over 230 lives. On this day in 1950, Lansing welcomed Alexa Irene Canady, the first African American neurosurgeon, who later became chief of neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital. In 1991, Magic Johnson announced his HIV-positive status, becoming a prominent activist and changing perceptions of the disease.

On this day in 1962, an imposter named Daniel West was elected to Michigan's House of Representatives, claiming a background in local offices. He was reelected in 1964, but a fingerprint match revealed him as a three-time convicted felon. The real Daniel West, a New York attorney, had died in 1961. A warrant was issued in 1965, but the fraudster vanished, with his true identity remaining a mystery to this day.

On this day in 1918, Michigan became the 7th state to grant women the right to vote. In 2002, Jennifer Granholm was elected as the first woman governor. Additionally, in 2004, "The Polar Express" premiered in Grand Rapids, featuring a locomotive modeled after a Pere Marquette.