On This Day in History

The 1881 Discovery That Sparked Michigan’s Mining Dreams If you think Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is only famous for copper and iron, think again. On this day in history—May 17, 1881—Julius Ropes, a local chemist from Marquette, unearthed something that would ignite dreams of fortune and glory: gold. Ropes had been studying rock samples in the area and noticed traces of gold and silver. When he discovered a gold-bearing quartz vein just outside Ishpeming, it wasn’t long before the Ropes Gold and Silver Company was formed and the U.P. got its very own gold rush. The Ropes Mine was the only… Read More »

The Journey Begins On May 17, 1673, two unlikely adventurers—Jesuit missionary Father Jacques Marquette and French-Canadian fur trader Louis Joliet—pushed off from St. Ignace in canoes, beginning one of the most significant exploration journeys in North American history. Accompanied by five voyageurs and guided by Indigenous knowledge, their mission was to find and map the mighty river that Native peoples called the Messipi—“the Great River.” Their journey wasn’t just about maps and discovery. It was about connecting a continent. With little more than determination, their canoes, and guidance from Native tribes, they ventured across what would become Wisconsin and followed… Read More »

Defending His Honor History has its share of courtroom drama, but few moments are quite as delightfully petty—and noble—as when former President Theodore Roosevelt rolled into Marquette, Michigan, on May 13, 1913, to defend his honor. The charge? He was a drunk and a liar—at least, that’s what George Newett, editor of the Iron Ore newspaper in Ishpeming, claimed. Roosevelt, never one to take things lying down (unless he was posing for a hunt), took legal action. The scene was set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where Roosevelt traveled specifically to testify in a libel suit he’d filed against Newett. The… Read More »

Lost to the Storm Lake Superior has a long, dark history of claiming ships, sailors, and stories—many of which remain mysteries beneath her cold waves. But on this day in history, May 13, 1899, the sinking of the Schooner Nelson was one of those stories was written in heartbreak and heavy weather. The schooner Nelson, a 199-foot, three-masted vessel built in 1866, sank near Grand Marais, Michigan, taking her entire crew, including the captain’s wife and infant child, down with her. The Nelson was being towed west by Captain White’s steamer alongside the Mary B. Mitchell. The ships were caught… Read More »

Michigan Becomes a Pioneer in Justice Reform On May 4, 1846, Michigan did something no other English-speaking government had ever done—it outlawed the death penalty for all crimes except treason. It was a bold and groundbreaking decision, marking a major step toward criminal justice reform not just in the U.S., but around the world. This move made Michigan the first state in the United States to legally reject capital punishment for most crimes, signaling a shift toward more humane and rehabilitative approaches to justice. Though the law wouldn’t take effect until March 1, 1847, the decision itself made waves—and it… Read More »

A Legacy of Conservation and Hard Work In the depths of the Great Depression, with unemployment at staggering levels, President Franklin D. Roosevelt launched the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as part of his New Deal efforts to put young men to work while preserving the country’s natural resources. On May 2, 1933, two hundred young men from Detroit and Hamtramck arrived in Chippewa County. They came to establish Camp Raco, Michigan’s very first CCC facility. This marked the beginning of a program that would leave a lasting impact on Michigan’s forests, parks, and conservation efforts. Building More Than Just Camps… Read More »

The Beginning of Prohibition On April 30, 1918, the last legal drinks were poured in Michigan, marking the start of state-wide prohibition on May 1, 1918. A full two years before national prohibition took effect. This wasn’t an overnight shift, though. By 1911, most of Michigan was already dry due to county-level bans, and in 1916, voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment outlawing alcohol entirely. The result? A new era of bootlegging, speakeasies, and a thriving underground liquor trade. While prohibitionists believed banning alcohol would lead to a more moral and orderly society, the reality was much different. Saloons and… Read More »

April in Michigan has been a month of bold decisions, historic milestones, and even a little bit of controversy. From the introduction of coho salmon that revolutionized the Great Lakes fishery to the dramatic Battle of Manton, April has seen its fair share of unforgettable events. Let’s take a look at some key moments on this day in Michigan’s History in April. April in Northern Michigan History April 2, 1966 – Coho Salmon Introduced Michigan made a bold move that changed the Great Lakes forever—introducing coho salmon in the Platte and other area rivers. This effort aimed to control invasive… Read More »

The Apple Blossom On April 28, 1897, Michigan officially adopted the apple blossom (Pyrus coronaria) as its state flower. The flower of the crabapple tree was chosen to represent Michigan’s vibrant agricultural heritage and the state’s deep ties to apple production. Known for its delicate pink and white blooms and sweet honeysuckle fragrance, the apple blossom has become a symbol of renewal and growth in the state of Michigan. The story behind the apple blossom’s selection dates back to a legislator named William Harris. Harris was inspired by the expansive apple orchard across from his home in Norwood, Michigan. Harris… Read More »

A Flight for the History Books On April 28, 1959, the waters of the Straits of Mackinac reflected the towering Mackinac Bridge, an engineering marvel connecting Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas. Drivers crossing the five-mile-long span that day had no idea they were about to witness one of the most daring (and unauthorized) aerial stunts in U.S. military history. High above, Air Force Captain John S. Lappo, piloting a Boeing B-47 Stratojet, had a wild idea—one that would cost him his wings but secure his place in aviation legend. Lappo wasn’t just any pilot. A Muskegon, Michigan, native and a… Read More »

Michigan’s Official Symbol for Clean Water On April 21, 2004, Michigan made a significant move to honor its abundant freshwater resources by designating the American lotus blossom (Nelumbo lutea) as the official symbol for clean water. Public Act 78 of 2004 officially recognized the lotus for its unique ability to thrive in Michigan’s freshwater environments while also naturally cleaning the waters it inhabits. The American lotus is the largest aquatic plant in North America, growing in the shallow, mucky waters around the Great Lakes. With its large yellow flowers and massive floating leaves, the lotus is a standout in Michigan’s… Read More »

A Mysterious Disaster That Shook Northern Michigan On April 19, 1973, the quiet, rural community of Williamsburg, located just a few miles from Traverse City in Northern Michigan, was suddenly thrust into a nightmare. Hundreds of craters and geysers erupted without warning, turning the peaceful village into a dangerous disaster zone. The eruption, caused by a natural gas leak from a nearby drilling operation, forced the evacuation of most of the town’s 450 residents, leaving them displaced for months. The aftermath of the event not only changed the lives of the people who lived there but also set the stage… Read More »