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Three MI Moments from January
1. The Winter Classic Record
The largest crowd to ever watch a hockey game didn't fit inside a hockey arena.
On January 1, 2014, the Detroit Red Wings hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at "The Big House" in Ann Arbor.
With frigid temps and snow falling on the ice, 105,491 fans packed the stadium, setting a Guinness World Record for the most tickets sold for an NHL game.
Detroit lost the game 3-2 in a shootout, but the image of hockey outdoors in the snow cemented Michigan's status as the center of the hockey universe.
2. Edsel Ford Takes the Wheel
Henry Ford built the engine, but his son Edsel built the style.
On January 1, 1919, Edsel Ford took over as President of Ford Motor Company, bringing an artist's eye to his father's utilitarian world.
While Henry focused on function, Edsel championed design, giving us the Lincoln Continental and the beautiful curves of 1930s Fords.
He also commissioned the famous Detroit Industry murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), cementing Detroit's image as the builder of the modern world.
3. The Boy Governor
Stevens T. Mason, the "Boy Governor," was elected at age 24 and led the state militia into the Toledo War against Ohio.
He successfully took Michigan from a territory to a state; however, his aggressive spending ruined his reputation during the Panic of 1837.
He left office in disgrace and died penniless of pneumonia at age 31 in New York on January 4, 1843, only to be reburied later as a hero in Detroit.
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MI History Photo of the Week
Dwarf Lake Iris (Iris lacustris)
Michigan’s State Wildflower, the Dwarf Lake Iris.
Photo Credit: Joel Trick, USFWS - circa 2017
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MI Trivia
In the first-ever Rose Bowl held in January 1902, the University of Michigan was so dominant that which opponent "gave up" and requested the game end early while trailing 49-0?
Tip: Click or tap on your guess to see if you got it right!
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MI History Spotlight
Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum
Located in Naubinway, this museum preserves Michigan’s role as a pioneer in winter mobility by showcasing a vast collection of rare, vintage snow-machines dating back to the early 20th century.
Visitors can explore the evolution of winter travel through unique prototypes and classic sleds while enjoying direct access to the Upper Peninsula’s extensive modern trail system.
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My Michigan Reflection
This year’s NHL Winter Classic was held in Miami on Friday, January 2nd, drawing a sellout crowd of 36,153.
That’s ~34% of the crowd that packed “The Big House” in 13-degree weather — proof that nothing quite matches the might of Michiganders.
Speaking of Michigan might, I can’t wait for you to see the history we’ve uncovered for you this month.
January is often associated with dormancy—the "dead of winter." But in Michigan, it proves to be a month of genesis, radical innovation, and extreme survival.
Until next week, thank you for reading Michigan History Digest.
— Zac and the Welcome Home History Team.