On this day in 2018, Michigan held its 49th Spartan Stampede rodeo and selected its first African-American Rodeo Queen, Khalilah Smith, a Michigan State sophomore. The MSU Rodeo Club, founded in 1969, hosts this three-day event featuring bronco riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, and barrel racing.

On this day in 1974, Joe Maka speared Michigan's largest recorded fish, a 7-foot, 193-pound sturgeon, at Mullett Lake. Also, in 1819, William Woodbridge was elected as Michigan's first member of the US House of Representatives, though he was a non-voting member since Michigan wasn't yet a state.

On this day in 1859, Lansing, Michigan, was incorporated as a city after being sold as a non-existent "Biddle City." Also, celebrating the birthday of Brian Holland, a key Motown songwriter born in 1941.

On this day in 1914, Nancy Harkness Love, a pioneer in women's military aviation, was born in Houghton, Michigan. In 1933, Governor William Comstock declared a two-week banking holiday to prevent a rush on Michigan’s banks. In 1967, Aretha Franklin recorded "Respect," which became one of the greatest songs of all time.

On this day in 1855, the Michigan Legislature moved to protect escaped enslaved people by prohibiting the use of county jails for their detention. In 1938, Lansing experienced its worst flood in two decades, with streets turning into rivers and significant damage across the city.

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.