 It was on this day, January 26 in 1837, that President Andrew Jackson signed the bill admitting Michigan as the nation's 26th state. Michigan first became a territory in 1805, but it was a long-awaited journey to statehood.
Gov. Rick Snyder has declared today Michigan Statehood Day, and organizations around the state are celebrating. Here's just a few examples of what's going on:
The State Theatre (Traverse City) - Held today from 1 - 8:30 p.m., the theatre will provide free birthday cake for everyone who comes to the movies, and if you answer a Michigan trivia question correctly, you get in free (warning - the questions aren't easy)! Visit www.statetheatretc.org.
Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit) - The first 175 Michigan residents will receive free general admission to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Visit www.dia.org.
Pure Michigan (Statewide) - On www.puremichiganblog.org, visitors can find tweets and pictures of Michigan from around the state. The site will be updated throughout the day.
Michigan Historical Museum (Lansing) - On Saturday, Jan. 28, the museum will host Statehood Day festivities with costumed interpreters, craft demonstrations and musical performances. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first 100 people through the door will receive a free slice of birthday cake. Call (517) 373-3559.
How are you celebrating Michigan Statehood Day? Tell us on Facebook!
Did you know ...
- Detroit was the first capital of Michigan, not Lansing
- Michigan has more lighthouses than any other U.S. state
- The first soda pop manufactured in the U.S., Vernor's ginger ale, was created by accident in 1866 in Detroit
- Michigan is the largest state producer of cherries
- Steven T. Mason became governor of Michigan in 1834 (then a territory) at the age of 22, and to this day remains the youngest state governor in American history
- Sault Ste. Marie, founded by Fr. Jacques Marquette in 1668, is the third oldest remaining settlement in the U.S.
- Michigan is the only place in the world with a floating post office - the J.W. Westcott II is the only boat in the world that delivers mail to ships while they are still underway
- In 1879, Detroit phone customers were the first in the nation to be assigned phone numbers
"Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice"
"If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."
Happy Birthday Michigan! From the Michigan Humanities Council
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