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🗓️ This Week’s MI Moments
Digest Exclusive: When the Ford Motor Company was incorporated in June 1903, investors were so terrified of Ford's track record that they refused to make him president. They chose banker John S. Gray instead to protect their investment of $28,000.
🍫 Sanders Bumpy Cake, Caramel, and More
Digest Exclusive: Legend has it, while experimenting with different methods for a new dessert, Fred Sanders ran short of buttercream frosting. To stretch his remaining ingredients, he piped parallel rails of buttercream across the devil's food sheet cake before coating it in a rich chocolate fudge icing.
The resulting raised ridges became an instant success. Patrons visiting the shop routinely requested the "cake with bumps," prompting the confectionery to officially brand the creation as the Chocolate Bumpy Cake.
🎙️ Detroit Walk to Freedom: "I Have a Dream"
Bonus: Did you know this march occurred exactly 20 years after the deadly 1943 Detroit civil unrest (commonly referred to as the 1943 Detroit race riots). Organizers chose June 23 to show that while the violence had ended, the systemic fight for housing and jobs in the North was far from over.
Motown Records founder Berry Gordy recorded this historic Detroit address. Released as the label’s first-ever spoken-word album, "The Great March to Freedom" funneled thousands of dollars in royalties directly into the civil rights movement.
Tip: Click the underlined title for any moment to watch on YouTube for free!
💬 MI Community Spotlight
The 1837 Club: Member Recognition
Today happens to be my birthday, and one of the best gifts I've received has been the support of every Founding Member in The 1837 Club. Words can't explain how grateful I am for each of you. Thank you!
If you forgot it was my birthday, no worries! Becoming a member of The 1837 Club is the perfect gift for both of us.
Looking back to when I was unexpectedly laid off in April 2025, I was crushed. But I felt in my core that there was a reason for it, and I truly believe it was to let me chase my dream of sharing Michigan history full-time. That is exactly what The 1837 Club helps me do.
As an added perk, our next Quarterly Impact Report drops this July, so joining right now means you'll get a front-row seat to see exactly how your support is making a difference.
📸 MI Photo of the Week
MLK Jr. Leads the Detroit Walk to Freedom
Detroit Free Press, Author: Tony Spina - circa 1963
📍 MI People & Places
Opening of the Soo Locks
On June 18, 1855, the steamer Illinois became the first vessel to successfully navigate past the St. Marys River rapids via the newly completed locks at Sault Ste. Marie.
This engineering triumph enabled the bulk transit of mineral wealth from Lake Superior directly to manufacturing centers in Detroit, Cleveland, and Erie.
🔎 MI Local Spotlight
Chelsea Milling Company Virtual Tour
Operating from a historic Chelsea site utilized for milling since 1848, this complex anchored the Holmes family's legacy long before the Jiffy brand became a household name in 1930.
While in-person public walkthroughs are retired, their interactive virtual tour takes you deep inside the restricted, multi-story mixing towers and processing facilities.
The high-speed automated assembly line is capable of folding, filling, and sealing over 1.5 million boxes every single day.
Take the virtual tour for yourself at “JIFFY” Mix Official Website.
✍🏼 My Michigan Reflection
This week is a great reminder of how complex history—and life—can be. Just look at Henry Ford finding success after two massive failures, Fred Sanders rebuilding his business in Detroit after the Great Chicago Fire, or MLK Jr. leading the Detroit Walk to Freedom 20 years after the city's 1943 civil unrest.
While the circumstances are much different, June 21st is a pretty packed day itself. It’s Father’s Day, the first day of summer, and my birthday!
I owe a special shout-out to my dad for helping instill the work ethic I have today and for supporting every journey I take—I literally wouldn’t be here without you. To all the wonderful dads reading this and supporting Michigan history, Happy Father's Day!
Until next week, thank you for reading Michigan History Digest.
— Zac and the Welcome Home History Team.
P.S. Please take a few seconds to answer this week’s MI History Feedback question below. Thank you 💙
🎓 MI History Feedback
If we launched and mailed a physical, high-quality replica of a rare Michigan history document (with a deep-dive story card) right to your door, would you purchase it?
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.
