History:

Did you know …  The first Europeans to arrive in Michigan were the French. Explorer Etienne Brule traveled through Michigan in 1618 searching for a route to China. The first permanent European settlement in Michigan was Sault Ste. Marie which was established in 1668 by Father Jacques Marquette. In 1701, Frenchman Antoine de La Mothe Cadillac founded a trading post at Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit. It would later become the city of Detroit. When the Europeans arrived there were three main tribes that lived in Michigan: the Ojibwe, the Ottawa, and the Potawatomi. These three tribes formed a group called the Council of the Three Fires. Michigan applied for statehood and, on January 26, 1837, Michigan was admitted to the Union as the 26th state.  

Here are some Michigan historical facts:

• Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes.
• It has over 10,000 lakes and the longest freshwater shoreline in the world.
• The Mackinac Bridge connects Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
• Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is entirely within the United States.
• Sometimes Michigan is called the Wolverine State.
• Detroit is the car capital of the world with General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford. It is often called Motor Town or Motown.
• Motown records was founded in Detroit by Barry Gordy in 1959.
• The University of Michigan was the first university founded by a state. It was founded in 1817 under the name Catholepistemiad.
• Kellogg's Cereal company is headquartered out of Battle Creek. Each year they have a cereal festival where they set up the world's longest breakfast table.
• No matter where you are in Michigan, you are always within 85 miles of a Great Lake.

LEARN MORE: HERE & HERE.

Agriculture and Industry:

Did you know …  Three of Michigan's Major Industries are manufacturing, tourism and agriculture. Known as the nation's automotive capital, Michigan has a rich history with the Big Three automakers, General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC and Ford Motor Co., which all began in Michigan in the first quarter of the 20th century. Michigan is home to 17% of total U.S. vehicle production and 11% of North American vehicle production.  Michigan is home to two world-class autonomous vehicle testing sites, leading the nation in testing and development of next-generation transportation technology. Michigan’s Agriculture includes: cherries, blueberries, corn, soybeans, cattle, milk, black and cranberry beans, cucumbers, and Niagara grapes. Michigan leads the nation in production of asparagus, and its production of squash is second in diversity only to California. Michigan is also rich in Natural Resources. Michigan is known for fishing, thanks to its 3,288-mile coastline, the longest freshwater coastline in the United States. Forestry is another important industry, as 90 percent of the Upper Peninsula is covered in trees. The state also produces iron oxide pigments, which are used for making red, orange, yellow, and black pigment—often for makeup. LEARN MORE: HERE, HERE, & HERE.

State Bird and State Flower

Did you know …  The official State Bird of Michigan is the American Robin.  Michigan designated "robin redbreast" (American robin) as the official state bird in 1931 after an election held by the Michigan Audubon Society.   Robins were named by early settlers after the familiar robin red-breast of Europe (a bird with similar markings that is not closely related to the American Robin). LEARN MORE: HERE & HERE.

The official State Flower of Michigan is the Apple Blossom.  Michigan designated the apple blossom as official state flower in 1897. Apple blossom tree is a well-known tree, growing from 20 to 40 feet high, with rigid, crooked, spreading branches, and a rough, blackish bark. The apple tree is a native of Europe, and the Apple blossoms come from April to June.  LEARN MORE: HERE & HERE.

Detriot, MI

Did you know …  Detroit was the first capital of Michigan, but it was later moved to Lansing in 1847. Although Michigan’s State Capitol is Lansing, its largest city is Detroit. Detroit was founded on July 24, 1701 by the French explorer and adventurer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac and a party of settlers. Developing from a small sleepy New France fur trading post, Detroit became a world-class industrial powerhouse and the fourth largest American city by the mid 20th century.
    During the 19th century, Detroit grew into a thriving hub of commerce and industry and was referred to by some as the Paris of the West for its architecture, and for Washington Boulevard, recently electrified.by Thomas Edison. Throughout the 20th century various skyscrapers were built centered on Detroit's downtown. Following World War II, the auto industry boomed and the area witnessed suburban expansion. 

     Known as the Motor City, automobile manufacturing is the top industry in Detroit. The automaker General Motors has its headquarters in the city, Ford is based in the suburb of Dearborn, and Chrysler has its headquarters in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The U.S. headquarters of the international automaker Volkswagen is also in Auburn Hills.

     Live music has been a prominent feature of Detroit's nightlife since the late 1940s, bringing the city recognition under the nickname 'Motown'. The city of Detroit has a rich musical heritage and has contributed to a number of different genres over the decades leading into the new millennium. Important music events in the city include: the Detroit International Jazz Festival, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, the Motor City Music Conference (MC2), the Urban Organic Music Conference, the Concert of Colors, and the hip-hop Summer Jamz festival. LEARN MORE: HERE, HERE, & HERE.

Fun Facts

Did you know …  Michigan is also known as the Wolverine State, but its state nickname is Great Lakes State because Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes.  Experts don’t agree on why Michigan is called the Wolverine State ... especially since not many wolverines live there! One theory is that fur traders used to exchange animal pelts, including wolverines’, in Michigan. Another idea involves an 1835 land skirmish with Ohio. At the time, people from Ohio called their Michigan neighbors “wolverines” as an insult. 

     Michigan is home to 4 professional sports teams: Detroit Lions - NFL (football), Detroit Pistons - NBA (basketball), Detroit Red Wings - NHL (hockey), and the Detroit Tigers - MLB (baseball).

     Some famous people from Michigan include: Henry Ford - Founder of the Ford Motor Company, Gerald Ford - The 38th President of the United States (grew up in Michigan), Magic Johnson - Professional basketball player, Charles Lindbergh - Aviator who flew the Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic Ocean, Madonna - Singer and actress, Floyd Mayweather – Boxer, Smokey Robinson – Singer, Kid Rock – Singer, Tom Selleck – Actor, Serena Williams - Tennis player, Stevie Wonder - Singer and songwriter LEARN MORE: HERE, HERE, & HERE.

Did you know that Detroit’s economy still depends heavily on the fortunes of the automotive industry?  

Here are some car jokes to make you giggle:

What do you get when dinosaurs crash their cars?

Tyrannosaurus WRECKS. 

What do you say to a frog who needs a ride?

HOP in.

What kind of car does Yoda drive?

A toYODA.

Why couldn’t the frog find where he parked his car?

He’d been TOAD.

What did the tornado say to the sports car?

Want to go for a SPIN!

What part of the car is the laziest?

The wheels, because they are always TIRED!

"Putter and the Red Car"

By Kate K. Lund

"Vehicles: A First Vehicles Book"

by Parragon Publishing Created by Small World Creations Ltd

"Cool Cars and Trucks"

by Sean Kenney

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Few foods say "summertime in Michigan" quite like a cherry pie.  Traverse City is called the Cherry Capital of the World. It holds the annual National Cherry Festival and has over 150 events and activities! Kids can enjoy pit-spitting, pie-eating contests, turtle races and more without paying a penny. 

Ingredients:

• 1 box Pillsbury™ refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
• 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
• 1 teaspoon milk
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Make pie crusts as directed on box for Two-Crust Pie, using 9-inch glass pie plate.
2. 2 Spoon pie filling into crust-lined plate. Top with second crust; seal edge and flute. Brush top crust with milk; sprinkle with sugar. Cut slits in several places on top crust.
3. 3 Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown. After 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning. Cool at least 1 hour before serving.