Issue No. 31

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

〽️ Michigan's Academic Landscape Altered

Bonus: The original name was Catholepistemiad, or "University of Michigania," when it was founded in Detroit on August 26, 1817 (before Michigan was even a state). The named was coined by Judge Augustus Woodward, the term means "School of Universal Knowledge" or "Universal Science"

🏛️ Michigan’s First Female State Officer

Digest Exclusive: Tenney didn't just 'manage' the books; she personally oversaw the move of the entire library into the current State Capitol building when it opened in 1879. She oversaw the layout of the library galleries herself, ensuring it was one of the most modern facilities in the country!

🐺 The Legend of the Michigan Dogman

Digest Exclusive: It’s been widely reported that DJ Steve Cook donated all the proceeds from cassette sales of his song ‘The Legend’ to local animal shelters.

🚀 Michigan Born Astronaut Christina Koch

Bonus: NASA astronaut Christina Koch is serving as a mission specialist for NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon.

In 2019, Christina Koch and Jessica Meir made history by completing the first-ever all-female spacewalk, spending 7 hours and 17 minutes working outside the International Space Station to replace a failed battery charge/discharge unit.

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

“Almost a year in space has got to be crazy. This is probably some of the coolest stuff that’s happening in my lifetime”
— User cantremember64 from Instagram

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. There is some awesome history being made every day and the people, places, and companies across Michigan happen to be at the center of so many of these moments!

On April 4, 1825, John R. Williams was elected as Detroit's first mayor under the city charter he personally authored, beginning a legacy of service that spanned six non-consecutive terms by 1846.

Beyond his mayoralty, Williams served as a Major General of the Michigan Militia, a delegate to the first State Constitutional Convention, and a pivotal member of both the University of Michigan Board of Trustees and the Detroit Board of Education.

In 2026, his multidisciplinary impact as a soldier, educator, and statesman is recognized as the foundational blueprint for Michigan’s enduring administrative excellence.

With the 2026 shipping season officially underway and the anniversary of Belle Isle’s 1879 purchase approaching on April 8, now is the perfect time to visit the Dossin Great Lakes Museum.

This maritime treasure on the Detroit River features the massive bow anchor of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and the ornate, 1912 Gothic Room salvaged from a historic Great Lakes steamer.

Plan your visit or explore the maritime collections at the official Detroit Historical Society website.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate! It’s officially April, and Michigan history continues to be made in some of the biggest ways possible.

Michigan and the nation are beaming with pride as Grand Rapids native Christina Koch and the rest of the Artemis II team make history. If you missed it, Christina recently unlocked the title of ‘Space Plumber’ after helping fix the $23 million toilet aboard the Orion capsule. Though it’s been reported that there’s a new issue with it. And here I was thinking the worst thing in the world was running out of toilet paper…

It’s not quite as bad as losing your space toilet, but this past week was rough for several of our Michigan sports teams. Thankfully, the Detroit Pistons, along with the Michigan men’s basketball and hockey teams, continue to impress.

We’re still holding out hope that the Red Wings can end their playoff drought and clinch a wild card spot, and that the Detroit Tigers continue to find ways to win.

Until next week, we wish you a wonderful week ahead.
— Zac and the Welcome Home History Team.

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