Issue No. 27

Welcome Home, {{first_name|default:Michigander}}!

Monday: 📚 $1000 for March is Reading Month

Update: We’re less than 450 subscribers away from unlocking a $100 donation to Making Spirits Bright. Thank you for supporting Michigan history and literacy!

Tuesday: 🌎 Michigan Leads the Way: Death Penalty

Bonus: The last execution in Michigan territory was the 1830 hanging of Stephen Simmons. It became a grotesque public spectacle in Detroit. Simmons was paraded through the streets while a local band played music, and a massive crowd gathered to watch him die.

The event was so repulsive to the community that it soured the entire territory on capital punishment. When Michigan became a state seven years later, the memory of that "show" was a major reason the legislature refused to ever pull the lever again.

Wednesday: ⛽ The End of Classic Detroit Muscle Cars

Digest Exclusive: Michigan drivers hated the "Double Nickel." In fact, Michigan was one of the last states to fully embrace the change, and the 55 mph limit became so unpopular it eventually inspired Sammy Hagar’s 1984 anthem, "I Can't Drive 55."

For over 20 years, the Motor City was stuck in the slow lane. It took until 1987 for Congress to allow states to move back to 65 mph, and 1995 for the federal mandate to be repealed entirely.

Thursday: 🌲 Michigan's 1st National Park

Hint: It isn’t Isle Royale.

Tip: Click the underlined title for any day to watch on YouTube for free!

“I do believe the cemetery there is a National cemetery too????”
— Becky from Facebook on our Michigan's 1st National Park video.

What we found: Mackinac Island does have a national cemetery known as the Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery, located within Mackinac State Park.

It is one of only four national cemeteries in the U.S. where the flag is continuously flown at half-staff, honoring over 100 soldiers from the War of 1812 and the Civil War.

On March 7, 1942, Congress authorized the construction of a new, massive lock at Sault Ste. Marie to support the unprecedented demand for iron ore during World War II.

Named after General Douglas MacArthur, the project was completed in a record 14 months. It is projected that up to 90% of the iron ore used by the U.S. to produce steel for the war effort passed through the Soo Locks.

Today, the lock remains a vital engineering marvel that facilitates global commerce through the heart of the Great Lakes.

Housed within the majestic Detroit Public Library’s Main Branch, the Burton Historical Collection is one of the nation’s premier genealogical and local history archives.

What began as the private library of Clarence Monroe Burton, now consists of millions of manuscripts, photographs, and maps that chronicle the history of the Great Lakes region from the 17th century to the present day.

Plan your research visit or explore the archives at the Detroit Public Library’s official website.

I hope you enjoyed the Digest Exclusive bonus history I added for Wednesday. I had no idea that the oil embargo caused highway speed limits to be reduced under 70 mph for over 20 years!

I’m also a bit embarrassed to admit that I either never learned or somehow forgot that Mackinac Island was once a national park. Not only that, but it was the country’s second National Park, right behind Yellowstone! As a national park and history lover, uncovering this history was an extra special moment for me.

And if it weren’t for Becky’s comment, who knows when I would have learned that Mackinac Island is also home to a national cemetery.

It just goes to show how much we can learn from each other—and how important Michigan history is to our story. That’s exactly why I’m so excited about our March is Reading Month initiative to grow and give back.

Until next week, thank you for reading Michigan History Digest.
— Zac and the Welcome Home History Team.

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.