State History
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That one time in Michigan: When a fire burned the Thumb off the map
One of our state’s most destructive natural disasters struck in 1881. Explore the history of this tragedy, which killed hundreds of Michiganders.
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The Michigan museums my kids have enjoyed the most
My five children and I love visiting the many museums Michigan has to offer. Here are our favorite Michigan museums—and bonus, some even have free admission!
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Hash Bash returns to Ann Arbor without the Monroe Street Fair
Hash Bash is returning to the University of Michigan Diag at noon on Saturday, April 4, 2026, marking its 55th year as one of the country’s most visible pro-cannabis protests.
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After 150 years, missing Lake Michigan shipwreck, Lac La Belle found
For more than 150 years, the passenger steamer Lac La Belle had been missing in the depths of Lake Michigan. Now, one of the most sought-after missing ships has been found.
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5 times labor unions made history in Michigan
Labor reform and Michigan go hand-in-hand. Take a trip through history to explore the legacy of Michigan labor unions and their enduring benefits for workers.
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7 Black Motown legends who shaped music history
Put on your dancing shoes and jump into the history of Motown, where Black artists laid the foundation for modern music.
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13 notable stops along Michigan’s Underground Railroad
Did you know that Michigan was home to over 200 stops on the Underground Railroad? We traced our state’s history in facilitating steps to freedom.
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13 Winter Olympians who made Michigan history (+ who to watch in 2026!)
It’s Winter Olympics season again, and Michiganders have a proud legacy at the Games. Read on to meet Michigan Olympians past and present.
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That one time in Michigan: When marijuana was legal for 22 days in 1972
Explore the unique history of cannabis in Michigan, from a star-studded Ann Arbor rally to a three-week reprieve from marijuana laws in the 1970s.
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That one time in Michigan: When it was the first English-speaking government to abolish the death penalty
In Michigan, a death penalty ban was established before official statehood. Here’s how this restriction came to be and what it means for modern law.
