Welcome Home, {{first_name|default:Michigander}}!
Three MI Moments from January
1. A Historic First in East Lansing
In January 1970, Dr. Clifton Wharton Jr. made history as the first Black president of a major U.S. university when he took over Michigan State.
He led the campus through the height of the Vietnam protests before moving to the business world to become the first Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Today, his name lives on through MSU’s world-class Wharton Center for Performing Arts.
2. The First Jewish Superstar in Modern American Sports
Born in January 1911, "Hammerin' Hank" Greenberg led the Tigers to two World Series titles while silencing antisemitic hate with every home run.
He famously sat out of a 1934 pennant race game for Yom Kippur, earning the respect of fans nationwide.
At the peak of his career, he became the first American League star to enlist for World War II, serving 47 months in the Army.
Despite losing four prime years to the war, he finished with 331 home runs, proving that he was a champion for his country and on the field.
3. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inducts First Female
In January 1987, Detroit's own Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Due to her fear of flying, the Queen of Soul didn't attend the New York ceremony in person. Instead, her brother Cecil and producer Clive accepted the trophy.
Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones inducted her, famously telling the crowd that "the dictionary has been used up" because no words could describe her greatness.
✦ ✦ ✦
MI History Photo of the Week
Henry Ford and Spider Huff Driving Arrow Racer (999) on Lake Saint Clair, 1904
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company - circa 1904
✦ ✦ ✦
MI Trivia
In January 1880, the world’s first international telephone line was established to connect Detroit with which neighboring city?
Tip: Click or tap on your guess to see if you got it right!
✦ ✦ ✦
MI History Spotlight
The World’s Stage: 125 Years of the Detroit Auto Show
The Detroit Auto Show (formerly the North American International Auto Show) is currently underway at Huntington Place until January 25th, continuing a tradition that began in 1899 at the city’s Light Guard Armory.
Now one of the most influential automotive events in the world, the show evolved from a regional display of steam and electric carriages into a global stage for groundbreaking vehicle reveals and mobility technology.
✦ ✦ ✦
My Michigan Reflection
History is made in every corner of this state, and in every industry you can think of. This week’s stories—spanning music, sports, academia, and the auto industry—show exactly that.
But looking at this lineup also made me pause.
While the individuals in our moments and photo of the week are no longer with us, their legacies remain vibrant, each in their own unique way.
I’m proud that in a small way, by writing this newsletter and you taking the time to read and share what you learn, we help ensure they live on.
Until next week, thank you for reading Michigan History Digest.
— Zac and the Welcome Home History Team.