Welcome Home, {{first_name|default:Michigander}}!
You’re reading the new and improved Michigan History Digest, redesigned to bring you even more value. More on these updates below in My Michigan Reflection.
🗓️ This Week’s MI Moments
Monday: 🥇🥇 Michigan Talent Makes Olympic History
Bonus: The Michigan talent didn't stop there. The Men's Squad was anchored by an unforgettable performance by goalie Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce) who turned away 41 of Canada's 42 shots.
The team also featured Quinn Hughes (Canton/Plymouth-trained), Dylan Larkin (Waterford), Zach Werenski (Grosse Pointe Woods), and Kyle Connor (Shelby Township).
The Women's Squad also featured another Michigander, Kirsten Simms (Plymouth). It’s fair to say that in 2026, Michigan is officially the capital of the hockey world!
Tuesday: 🏒 Michigan Made, the 1980 Miracle on Ice
Bonus: While the world remembers the miracle goals, hockey purists remember the defense.
Ken Morrow (Flint) was the ultimate defenseman, playing an estimated 30 minutes. He was on the ice for the final 90 seconds of the Miracle, fending off the best players in the world.
And Mark Wells (St. Clair Shores) was the center Herb Brooks trusted to shut down the most dangerous scorers in the world.
Wednesday: 🚗 The Michigan Defense Highway, I-94
Bonus: The reason the Detroit section (the Edsel Ford) was so expensive wasn't just the labor—it was the geology. Engineers had to dig deep into Michigan Blue Clay, a notoriously unstable soil.
They built the highway depressed (below street level) to keep local traffic moving above it, which required moving millions of tons of earth. Michigan didn't just build a road; we helped invent the modern American freeway.
Thursday: 😯 The Bank Robber Who Led Smith & Wesson
Bonus: After his final release in 1969, Minder didn't just stay out of trouble—he became a pillar of the state. He earned a Master's from U-M and founded Spectrum Human Services in 1976 to help at-risk Michigan youth.
By the time he reached the top of Smith & Wesson, he had been a law-abiding citizen for over 30 years. It’s the ultimate story of Michigan grit and second chances.
Friday: 🏂 Did Snowboarding Start in Michigan?
Tip: Click the underlined title for any day to watch on YouTube for free!
💬 MI Community Spotlight
Social Comment of the Week
“If it cost $10 million a mile in the 60s, I can’t even imagine how much it would cost now!” — Connie from Facebook
This comment was left on our “The Michigan Defense Highway, I-94” video and inspired me to go and find an answer.
I found a current project, called the Restore 94 project, an MDOT initiative to rehabilitate 12.7 miles of I-94 in Wayne County (from I-275 to west of Michigan Avenue), has an estimated cost of $353 million. That comes out to nearly $27.8 million a mile!
📸 MI Photo of the Week
Steam Powered River Crossing
Crossing the Detroit River in winter - circa 1905
📍 MI People & Places
The Legend of Grayling: Fred Bear
Born on March 5, 1902, Fred Bear was a pioneer who founded Bear Archery in Detroit during the Great Depression.
He later moved the company to Grayling, transforming Northern Michigan into a world-renowned capital for archery and conservation.
Today, he is remembered as the father of modern bowhunting and a symbol of Michigan’s independent, outdoor spirit.
🔎 MI Local Spotlight
Making Spirits Bright & March is Reading Month
To celebrate March is Reading Month, we are spotlighting Making Spirits Bright, a Metro Detroit nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable book access and fostering a love of learning for local youth.
We’ve set a goal to donate up to $1,000 to their mission based on our subscriber growth this month—and as a current reader, you’ve already helped us get started!
Please keep an eye on our social media this Monday for a video with more details, and be sure to like and share it so we can hit our $1,000 goal by March 31.
✍🏼 My Michigan Reflection
What a week it has been! When you signed up for Michigan History Digest, I promised to deliver a Sunday guide to the moments that shaped the Great Lakes State—in 5 minutes or less. I remain committed to that promise and hope you’re enjoying the new format.
Here is what you can expect moving forward:
4+ MI Moments: I’m sticking to the rhythm of four videos a week, with a fifth video on Fridays whenever the history is too good to leave behind. Like Friday’s Snurfer video that was too cool not to share.
Bonus History: You’ll notice new Bonus history under our MI Moments. My goal is to give you the details that don’t fit in the videos or are extensions of our social community conversations. Not every day will have one—only when there’s additional history worth sharing.
📍 MI People & Places : I’ve added this section to spotlight the anniversaries and icons that define our state, like this week’s look at the legendary Fred Bear.
Community First: Our 💬 Community Spotlight is now a permanent fixture to celebrate your insights, while the fan-favorite 🎓 MI History Trivia has moved to the finish line to test your knowledge at the end of the scroll.
Michigan history isn't just about the past; it's about the grit and spirit we see in our state today—from the 2026 Olympic hockey teams to the engineering marvels of I-94. I’m thrilled to continue this journey with you in a format that respects your time and honors our shared heritage and pride.
A special thank you to everyone who provided feedback last week, it was a big help in finalizing these changes.
What do you think of the new format? When you answer the trivia question below, you can add your feedback there, or reply directly to this email and let me know.
Until next week, thank you for reading Michigan History Digest.
— Zac and the Welcome Home History Team.
🎓 MI History Trivia
On March 6, 1896, a massive crowd gathered to watch the first-ever gasoline-powered vehicle drive through the streets of Detroit. Who was the pioneer behind the wheel?
Tip: Click or tap on your guess to see how you did!
P.S. You can leave us any feedback you may have after making your guess or replying to this email.