Issue No. 36

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

🏀 Detroit Pistons Prove History Repeats

Bonus: The statistical impossibility of these two series is wild. Not only did both comebacks happen against the Magic, but in both instances Detroit was the #1 seed, and the Magic were the #8 seed. Not to mention, the 3-1 lead was taken on April 27th in both 2003 and 2026.

Considering teams up 3-1 win over 95% of the time, seeing this happen twice against the same team is a total glitch in the matrix!

🥛 From Milk Wagon to Michigan Invention

Digest Exclusive: Two years before his 1911 painted centerline, Edward Hines led the charge to build the first full mile of concrete roadway. A staunch advocate for both cyclists and early motorists, he was instrumental in championing and acquiring the land for the 17.5-mile scenic parkway and trail system along the Middle Rouge River that now bears his name.

🚂 Michigan Made: The Real McCoy

Bonus: Despite being a trained engineer, McCoy’s credentials were ignored by the Michigan Central Railroad due to the color of his skin. He was relegated to the position of fireman and oiler, which involved the backbreaking work of shoveling coal and manual lubrication—the exact inefficiencies his inventions eventually eliminated.

To learn more about his story: click here

🍕 Little Caesars Pizza Treat is Born

Bonus: When the first location opened in a Garden City, Michigan strip mall, the original name of Little Caesars was Little Caesars Pizza Treat. While pizza was the focus, the menu included spaghetti, chicken, fish, and shrimp!

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

“Love this!! I have a special spot in my heart for Little Caesars because the founder paid Rosa Park’s rent from 1994 until 2005 when she passed away.”
— Imelda from Facebook

The comments section of our posts contains some awesome history being shared and discussed, just like the one above! Join the conversation and make your own comment for a chance to be our social comment of the week.

Born May 8, 1868, in Byron, Michigan, Ellen May Tower served as a U.S. Army nurse during the Spanish-American War; after tragically succumbing to typhoid fever in Puerto Rico, she became the first U.S. Army nurse to die on foreign soil and the first woman to receive a military funeral with full honors in Michigan.

Known as the “Camp Wikoff Angel” for her compassionate care of soldiers returning from Cuba, her death in Puerto Rico just one day before the 1898 Treaty of Paris catalyzed a national conversation regarding the professional recognition of female service members.

Originally built in the Netherlands in 1833 and painstakingly relocated to Michigan in 1964, De Zwaan stands as the oldest authentic, operating Dutch windmill in the United States.

Today, visitors can climb five stories high into the creaking wooden heart of the windmill, step onto the outer deck to watch the colossal sails sweep past, and take in over 150,000 vibrant tulips.

Plan your spring getaway and witness history in full bloom at Windmill Island Gardens.

Have you ever driven down a road right after it’s been paved, before they’ve put the lines down? It can be quite nerve wracking. I’ve white-knuckled it through that situation enough to know I can’t imagine life without a painted centerline.

I was surprised to learn that the centerline line didn’t officially change from white to yellow nationwide until the release of the 1971 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Speaking of the steady guides who keep us safely in our lanes: a special thank you to my mom for always supporting me and my dreams, and to all the wonderful moms reading this and supporting Michigan history. Happy Mother's Day!

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.