History of Michigan in Timeline

Michigan is a state in the Great Lakes region of the U.S., bordering several states and the Canadian province of Ontario. Its population of over 10 million makes it the tenth-largest state. Lansing is the state capital, but Detroit is the most populous city. The Metro Detroit area is a major metropolitan economy. Other significant metropolitan areas include Grand Rapids, Flint, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and Muskegon.

1903: Professional Hockey in Michigan

In 1903, professional hockey got its start in Houghton, Michigan, when the Portage Lakers were formed.

November 4, 1907: Faygo Founded

On November 4, 1907, Faygo was founded in Detroit.

1908: Michigan Constitution

Michigan had a constitution from 1908.

1910: First Michigan Presidential Primary Election

In 1910, Michigan held its first United States presidential primary election. It was also an important center of industry-wide union organizing.

1912: Tigers at Tiger Stadium

In 1912, the Detroit Tigers played at Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium).

1920: Detroit Becomes Fourth-Largest U.S. City

By 1920, Detroit became the fourth-largest city in the U.S. due to the growth of the auto industry, which attracted immigrants from Europe and migrants from across the United States. Residential housing was in short supply.

1920: WWJ (AM) Begins Commercial Broadcasting

In 1920, WWJ (AM) in Detroit became the first radio station in the United States to regularly broadcast commercial programs. Throughout that decade, some of the country's largest and most ornate skyscrapers were built in the city, including the Fisher Building, Cadillac Place, and the Guardian Building.

1927: Bath School Disaster

In 1927, the Bath School disaster occurred in Clinton County, resulting in the deaths of 38 schoolchildren and constituting the deadliest mass murder in a school in U.S. history.

February 9, 1934: Coldest Recorded Temperature in Michigan

On February 9, 1934, the coldest recorded temperature in Michigan was −51 °F (−46 °C) at Vanderbilt.

July 13, 1936: Highest Recorded Temperature in Michigan

On July 13, 1936, Michigan's highest recorded temperature was 112 °F (44 °C) at Mio.

August 1947: 4.6-Magnitude Earthquake

In August 1947, a 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck in Michigan.

1947: Charter Township Status Created

In 1947, charter township status was created by the Legislature, granting additional powers and stream-lined administration in order to provide greater protection against annexation by a city.

1959: Detroit Dragway Hosted NHRA U.S. Nationals

From 1959 to 1961, Detroit Dragway hosted the NHRA's U.S. Nationals.

1960: Advances in Auto Industry

Since 1960, modern advances in the auto industry have led to increased automation, high-tech industry, and increased suburban growth in Michigan.

1961: Detroit Dragway Hosted NHRA U.S. Nationals

From 1959 to 1961, Detroit Dragway hosted the NHRA's U.S. Nationals.

1963: Current Michigan Constitution

Michigan's current constitution dates from 1963. It has a preamble, 11 articles, and one section consisting of a schedule and temporary provisions.

July 1967: Twelfth Street Riot in Detroit

In July 1967, long-standing tensions in Detroit culminated in the Twelfth Street riot.

1974: Lions Leave Tiger Stadium

In 1974, the Detroit Lions played at Tiger Stadium in Detroit until 1974.

1975: Lions Move to Pontiac Silverdome

In 1975, the Detroit Lions moved to the Pontiac Silverdome.

1978: General revision question

Beginning in the general election held in 1978, and every 16 years thereafter, the question of a general revision of the Michigan constitution shall be submitted to the electors of the state.

1978: Pistons Move

In 1978, the Pistons moved from Detroit's Cobo Arena.

1979: Red Wings Move to Joe Louis Arena

In 1979, the Red Wings moved to Joe Louis Arena from Olympia Stadium.

1988: Pistons Move to Pontiac Silverdome

In 1988, the Pistons moved into the Pontiac Silverdome.

1994: Governor-elect from opposite party

From 1994 until 2022, the governor-elect in Michigan had always come from the party opposite the presidency.

1997: Major New Developments

From 1997 to 2004, Michigan was the only state to top the 10,000 mark for the number of major new developments.

1997: Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioned

The Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant, Michigan's first nuclear power plant, was decommissioned in 1997.

1999: Hmong population

Around 1999, Almost 4,000 Hmong people lived in the state of Michigan.

1999: Tigers at Tiger Stadium

In 1999, the Detroit Tigers played at Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium).

2000: Tigers Move to Comerica Park

In 2000, the Detroit Tigers moved to Comerica Park.

April 2001: Charter Townships in Michigan

As of April 2001, there were 127 charter townships in Michigan, possessing many of the same powers as a city but without the same level of obligations.

2001: Manufacturing Growth

From 2001 to 2006, manufacturing in Michigan grew 6.6%.

2002: High-Tech Employment Ranking

As of 2002, Michigan ranked fourth in the U.S. in high-tech employment with 568,000 high-tech workers, including 70,000 in the automotive industry.

2002: Lions Move to Ford Field

In 2002, the Detroit Lions moved to Ford Field in Detroit.

February 2004: Wolverine sighting

In February 2004, a wolverine was sighted near Ubly, Michigan, the first confirmed sighting in the state in 200 years.

2004: Corporate Facilities and Expansions

In 2004, Michigan was second in the U.S. for new corporate facilities and expansions.

2006: Grand Rapids Metro Area Growth

As of 2006, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area in Western Michigan was the state's fastest-growing metro area, with more than 1.3 million residents.

2006: Manufacturing Growth

From 2001 to 2006, manufacturing in Michigan grew 6.6%.

2006: Post-Labor Day School Law

In 2006, the Michigan State Board of Education mandated all public schools in the state hold their first day of school after Labor Day.

2006: University Research Corridor Formed

In 2006, the University Research Corridor in Michigan was formed with the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University as members.

2007: Middle Eastern and Asian Descent Population in Southeastern Michigan

As of 2007, about 300,000 people in Southeastern Michigan traced their descent from the Middle East and Asia. Almost 8,000 Hmong people lived in the state of Michigan.

2007: Corporate Facilities and Expansions

From 2007 to 2009, Michigan ranked 3rd in the U.S. for new corporate facilities and expansions.

2007: Bank of America Commitment to Community Development

In 2007, Bank of America announced it would commit $25 billion to community development in Michigan following its acquisition of LaSalle Bank in Troy.

2007: Christmas Tree Farming

In 2007, Michigan was the third-largest grower of Christmas trees, with 60,520 acres dedicated to Christmas tree farming.

2008: Site Selection Survey Ranking

In 2008, Michigan placed third in a site selection survey among the states for luring new business.

2008: Public Act 295

In 2008, Public Act 295 required utility companies to generate at least 10% of their energy from renewable sources by 2015.

2008: Hmong Portrayal in "Gran Torino"

In 2008, the Hmong community had a prominent portrayal in the film "Gran Torino", which was set in Detroit.

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2008: Economic Crisis Impact on Auto Industry

In 2008, the high speculative price of oil became a factor for the U.S. auto industry during the economic crisis, impacting industry revenues.

2008: Private School Students and Public School Budget

In 2008–09, more than 124,000 students attended private schools in Michigan, and the public school system had a $14.5 billion budget.

August 2009: U.S. Department of Energy Grants

In August 2009, Michigan and Detroit's auto industry received $1.36 billion in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy for the manufacture of electric vehicle technologies.

2009: Private School Closures

From 2009 to 2019, over 200 private schools in Michigan closed, partly due to competition from charter schools.

2009: GM and Chrysler Restructuring

In 2009, GM and Chrysler emerged from Chapter 11 restructurings with financing from the U.S. and Canadian governments.

2010: Detroit Metropolitan Airport ranking

In 2010, Detroit Metropolitan Airport was the 16th busiest airfield in North America measured by passenger traffic.

2010: Michigan Population and Auto Production

In 2010, Michigan had almost ten million residents, ranking tenth in population among the fifty states, and was the leading auto-producing state in the U.S.

2010: Job Creation Improvement

In 2010, Michigan was reported to have led the nation in job creation improvement according to the Gallup Job Creation Index.

2010: Agricultural Product Sales

In 2010, Michigan's 54,800 farms sold $6.49 billion worth of agricultural products.

2010: Religious Adherents Survey

In 2010, a survey estimated 44,382 Jewish adherents and 120,351 Muslims in Michigan.

2010: Languages Spoken in Michigan Homes

In 2010, about 91.11% of Michigan residents age five and older spoke only English at home, while 2.93% spoke Spanish and 1.04% Arabic.

2010: Wolverine found dead

In 2010, another wolverine was found dead in Michigan.

2010: Largest Protestant Denominations

In 2010, the Association of Religion Data Archives reported the largest Protestant denomination was the United Methodist Church with 228,521 adherents; followed by the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod with 219,618, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 120,598 adherents.

2010: Automakers Report Profits

In 2010, the Big Three domestic automakers reported significant profits, indicating the beginning of a rebound, and GM began its initial public offering (IPO) of stock.

2010: Michigan Population in 2010 Census

The 2010 census recorded 9,883,635 residents in Michigan.

2011: Increase in Japanese Residents Employed

As of 2011 more than 2,208 additional Japanese residents were employed in the State of Michigan as of October 1 2012, than in 2011.

2011: Tourism Revenue

As of 2011, tourists in Michigan spent $17.2 billion per year in the state, supporting 193,000 tourism jobs.

2011: Jordyn Wieber, World Champion

In 2011, Jordyn Wieber from DeWitt was the World Champion for Women's Artistic Gymnastics.

2011: Business Tax Repeal

In 2011, the state of Michigan repealed its business tax and replaced it with a 6% corporate income tax.

October 2012: Increase in Japanese Residents Employed

The Japanese Direct Investment Survey of the Consulate-General of Japan, Detroit stated more than 2,208 additional Japanese residents were employed in the State of Michigan as of October 1 2012, than in 2011.

2012: Wieber's Olympic Gold Medal

In 2012, Jordyn Wieber was a member of the gold medal team at the London Olympics.

2012: Right-to-Work Law

In 2012, Michigan became the 24th right-to-work state in the U.S.

April 2013: Largest Japanese National Population in Novi

As of April 2013, the largest Japanese national population is in Novi, with 2,666 Japanese residents.

May 2, 2015: 4.2-Magnitude Earthquake in Central Michigan

On Saturday, May 2, 2015, a 4.2-magnitude earthquake occurred about five miles south of Galesburg, Michigan, in central Michigan. No major damage or injuries were reported.

2015: Job Creation Survey

A 2015 release of the Gallup Job Creation Index survey also placed Michigan toward the top of the rankings.

2015: Japanese Population Concentration

As of 2015, 80% of Michigan's Japanese population lived in the counties of Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne in the Detroit and Ann Arbor areas.

2015: Decline in Hmong Population in Detroit

By 2015, the number of Hmong in the Detroit city limits had significantly declined.

2015: Renewable energy mandate

In 2015, utility companies in Michigan were required to generate at least 10% of their energy from renewable sources under Public Act 295 of 2008.

2016: Donald Trump won Michigan

After having been a Democratic-leaning state at the presidential level since the 1990s, Michigan evolved into a swing state after Donald Trump won the state in 2016.

2016: Renewable energy mandate increased

In 2016, Michigan legislature mandated utilities to reach at least 12.5% renewable energy by 2019 and 15% by the end of 2021.

2017: Pistons and Red Wings Move to Little Caesars Arena

In 2017, the Pistons and Red Wings moved to the newly built Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit.

December 20, 2019: Legalization of Online Gambling

On December 20, 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of bills into law effectively legalizing online gambling activities in Michigan, which allowed commercial and tribal casinos to apply for internet gaming licenses.

2019: Immigrant Population in Michigan

According to the American Immigration Council, in 2019, an estimated 6.8% of Michiganders were immigrants, with the majority coming from Mexico, India, Iraq, China, and Canada.

2019: Renewable energy target

By 2019, Michigan had set a mandate to reach at least 12.5% renewable energy.

2019: Private School Closures

From 2009 to 2019, over 200 private schools in Michigan closed, partly due to competition from charter schools.

2020: Michigan Population in 2020 Census

At the 2020 United States census, Michigan's population was 10,077,331, an increase of 2.03% since 2010.

2020: Expected Employment in Electric Vehicle Technologies

By 2020, it was expected that 40,000 people would be employed in Michigan in the manufacture of electric vehicle technologies.

2020: Largest Protestant Group

By the 2020 study, non- and inter-denominational Protestant churches formed the largest Protestant group in Michigan, numbering 508,904.

2020: Biden won Michigan

In 2020, Joe Biden won Michigan by a slim 2.8%.

2020: Electrical Energy Consumption and Production

In 2020, Michigan consumed 113,740 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electrical energy and produced 116,700 (GWh) of electrical energy.

2020: Coal Power Production

In 2020, coal power produced roughly half of Michigan's electricity supply, totaling 53,100 GWh of electrical energy.

2020: Roman Catholic Adherents

In 2020, there were 1,492,732 adherents of Roman Catholicism in Michigan.

2020: Voting access and amendments

In a 2020 study, Michigan was ranked as the 13th easiest state for citizens to vote in. Amendments to the constitution in 2020 also provided for voting by mail and audits of statewide election results.

2021: Renewable energy target reached

By the end of 2021, all Michigan utilities subject to the law successfully met the mandate to reach 15% renewable energy. Wind energy accounted for 59% of all Michigan energy credits.

2021: Languages Spoken in Michigan Homes

Since 2021, 90.1% of residents aged five and older spoke only English at home, and Spanish was the second-most spoken language with 2.9% of the population speaking it.

2021: Detroit No Longer Largest Black-Majority City

Since the 2021 census estimates, while Detroit was still the largest city in Michigan with a majority black population, it was no longer the largest black-majority city in the U.S.

2021: Cato Institute Ranking

The Cato Institute ranks Michigan 7th in its overall ranking for personal and economic freedom in the United States in the 2021 and 2023 editions of its Freedom in the 50 States index.

May 2022: Palisades Nuclear Power Plant Closure

The Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, located south of South Haven, closed in May 2022.

2022: Homeless Population in Michigan

According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 8,206 homeless people in Michigan.

2022: Renewable generating capacity

By the end of 2022, Michigan had at least 6 GW of renewable generating capacity, and was projected to have at least 8 GW by the end of 2026.

2022: Amendment passed

In 2022, Michigan voters passed an amendment recognizing abortion and contraceptive rights within the state's constitution.

2022: High School Rankings

In 2022, U.S. News & World Report rated three Michigan high schools among the nation's 100 best.

2022: Michigan Employment Statistics

In 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 3,939,076 people were employed in Michigan across 227,870 establishments.

2022: End of governor-elect trend

The trend that the governor-elect in Michigan had always come from the party opposite the presidency ended in 2022.

2023: DTE Coal Power Retirement

By 2023, DTE plans to retire 2100MW of coal power.

2023: Repeal of Right-to-Work Law

In 2023, Michigan repealed the right-to-work law.

2023: Bill to Cancel Post-Labor Day School Requirement

In 2023, a bill was introduced to cancel the requirement that schools start after Labor Day, allowing individual districts to decide when their school year should begin.

2023: Cato Institute Ranking

The Cato Institute ranks Michigan 7th in its overall ranking for personal and economic freedom in the United States in the 2021 and 2023 editions of its Freedom in the 50 States index.

2024: K-12 Students

As of the 2024–25 school year, Michigan's education system serves nearly 1.4 million K-12 students in public schools.

2024: Donald Trump won Michigan again

In 2024, Donald Trump won Michigan again, after losing it by a slim 2.8% to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020.

May 2025: Michigan's Gross State Product and Unemployment Rate

In May 2025, Michigan's Q3 gross state product was estimated at $738.308 billion, ranking 14th in the U.S., and the unemployment rate was 5.4%.

May 2025: University Research Corridor Renamed

In May 2025, the University Research Corridor in Michigan was renamed Research Universities for Michigan, adding Michigan Technological University as its first new member.