Today in 1935, the United Auto Workers (UAW) was officially organized, uniting various autoworker unions under one banner. This led to a series of sit-down strikes, culminating in the 44-day sit-in at Fisher Body Plant No. 1 in Flint. By the mid-1940s, the UAW represented nearly every auto worker in the U.S. and Canada.

Today in 1895, notorious train robber John Smalley was killed in a shootout with deputies near Cadillac, Michigan. Smalley, who had stolen over $1 million and eluded capture for a decade, was shot while attempting to evade arrest after a robbery near Farwell. Despite his criminal career, he was never jailed due to insufficient evidence. The missing loot is rumored to be buried near McBain, Michigan.

Today in 1915, Michigan introduced a bounty of 5 cents per rat to combat rodent infestations, a law that remained in place until its repeal in 2000. In 1969, East Lansing's Victor Jackson made headlines by crossing Lake Michigan to Wisconsin in a bathtub boat made from a bathtub and oil drums, completing the journey in nearly 15 hours.

Today in 1967, The Who performed at Flint's Atwood Stadium on drummer Keith Moon’s 21st birthday. Fans sent 200 cakes to the Holiday Inn, leading to a wild food fight that attracted police. Moon ended up smashing a police officer's face with cake, then crashed a brand-new Lincoln Continental into the hotel's swimming pool.

Today in 1974, professional bodybuilder Iris Kyle was born in Benton Harbor. She is the most successful woman bodybuilder with 10 Ms. Olympia and 7 Ms. International titles and made a pop-culture appearance in Katy Perry's "Swish Swish" video. On the same day in 1892, Detroit began using electric trolley cars, with test trips starting at 7:42 AM and regular service beginning the following day, marking a significant advancement in transportation.

Today in 1897, Ransom Eli Olds founded Olds Motors Works, which later became Oldsmobile. After a fire destroyed most of the cars, the surviving model became a sensation at the 1901 New York Auto Show, leading to large-scale production. On the same day in 1964, the Capri Drive-In Theater opened in Coldwater, Michigan, on Route 12. It has since been recognized as one of the top drive-ins in the U.S. by USA Today and the New York Times.

Today in 1920, Detroit began the first commercial radio broadcasting with the test call sign 8MK, later becoming WWJ. It continues to broadcast today. On the same day in 1971, Oscoda, Michigan, claimed Paul Bunyan as their own, noting that the first printed story about the legendary lumberjack came from Oscoda in 1906, although other towns also claim his origin.

Today in 1958, former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder was born in Battle Creek. Snyder, a businessman and lawyer, served as governor from 2011 to 2019 and gained national attention for his role in the Flint water crisis. On the same day in 1899, silent film star Colleen Moore was born in Port Huron. Known for popularizing the bob cut, Moore later became a successful financier and authored “How Women Can Make Money in the Stock Market.”

Today in 1926, Traverse City's Wallace Keep sent a 46-pound cherry pie to President Calvin Coolidge, showcasing the region’s famous cherries. On the same date in 2016, Helen Maroulis, who moved to Marquette to train at the US Olympic Education Center, became the first US gold medalist in women’s freestyle wrestling at the Rio Olympics.

Today in 2014, Claudia House Morcom, the first Black woman to serve as a Wayne County circuit court judge, passed away. Morcom was a pivotal civil rights advocate, providing legal defense for civil rights workers in Mississippi and challenging discriminatory practices throughout her career. She served on the bench for nearly 30 years and continued her activism until her death.