Issue No. 35

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

🐯 Detroit Tigers Make History in the 9th

Bonus: The physical environment of Bennett Park in Detroit was instrumental in the outcome of the opening game. Bennett Park held 8,500 fans, but 10,000 attended the game. Forcing 1,500 fans to overflow onto the grass field.

Umpires informed both clubs that any ball hit into the crowd would be ruled a double. This rule was a common feature of the era’s stadiums, where temporary "rope-off" sections were used to manage crowds.

🏁 Portage MI Native Wins at Talladega

Bonus: Hocevar secured his first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Talladega Superspeedway in his 91st career start.

He celebrated by driving down the frontstretch while hanging out of the driver-side window before doing a burnout against the wall, a move praised by the NASCAR CEO as "the coolest celebration he had seen."

✈️ Flying 425 mph Under Mackinac Bridge

Digest Exclusive: John Lappo was a veteran of WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam, having flown 28 combat missions over North Korea.

His record, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Force Commendation Medal, helped preserve his military career following his 1959 Mackinac Bridge stunt.

🌲 Isle Royale National Park Established

Digest Exclusive: To secure land for Isle Royale, the Isle Royale Commission purchased mineral rights for roughly $1 per acre and surface rights for $4 per acre. The State of Michigan ceded 2,240 acres of state-owned land to the U.S. government as part of the 1939 jurisdiction transfer.

Private landowners were granted "life leases" to continue using their cabins until death in exchange for accepting significantly lower appraisals on their property. The Calumet and Hecla Copper Company facilitated the park's creation by turning over approximately 30,000 acres of land.

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A warm welcome to our newest Founding Members of The 1837 Club, Angie M., and Spencer B. Thank you both for becoming patrons in April and helping us preserve Michigan history!

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Our goal is to welcome 3 new members this month. Will you be our next Founding Member? Learn More or Join The 1837 Club today.

Awarded 181 years after a small class of 11 pioneers first graduated in 1845, the University of Michigan reached its historic 1 millionth degree milestone on May 2, 2026.

While the early university excluded women and minorities, the Class of 2026 is 53% female and represents students from over 100 countries, reflecting a modern identity rooted in global representation.

This milestone reinforces the institution's 2026 mandate of integrity and public service, ensuring that the legacy of a million graduates continues to inspire community spirit across all 83 Michigan counties.

Authorized in 1931 to preserve one of the last true North Woods wildernesses, this remote archipelago in Lake Superior holds a rich history of Ojibwa copper mining that dates back over 4,000 years.

Today, visitors arrive by seaplane or ferry to traverse 165 miles of rugged trails through ancient volcanic ridges, often catching glimpses of the island’s famous resident moose and wolf populations.

Plan your wilderness trek or learn more at Isle Royale National Park.

This week I had the privilege of visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Even if it is in Ohio, I’ve got to admit—it was fantastic. Coincidentally, I was out hiking on Thursday right when our Isle Royale video went live. Being on those trails on a cool, quiet day put things into perspective; it’s hard to fathom the sheer, vast wilderness that Isle Royale offers.

Switching gears, if you’re a Detroit Pistons fan like I am, it’s been a stressful, yet historic week! (Hence why I needed that Cuyahoga trip). I’ll be glued to Game 7 today. Speaking of—I’ve got some wild Detroit Pistons history queued up for our Monday video.

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

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