1. Michigan officially became a state on January 26, 1837, but on December 31, 1836, the first state government officials were elected. These officials included a governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the state legislature.

2. The Great Lakes State has a rich automotive history, and on December 31, 1908, the first Model T car rolled off the assembly line at Ford's Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit, Michigan. The Model T revolutionized the automotive industry and made cars more affordable for everyday Americans.

3. On December 31, 1964, the University of Michigan's football team won the Rose Bowl, beating Oregon State with a score of 34-7. This was the University of Michigan's first Rose Bowl victory in over a decade and marked the beginning of a successful period for the university's football team.

4. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is known for its mining industry, and on December 31, 1984, the last iron ore shipment left the Upper Peninsula. The shutdown of the mining industry had economic impacts on the region, but the industry has diversified since then.

5. The annual Mackinac Bridge Walk is held on Labor Day each year, but on December 31, 2000, the Mackinac Bridge was closed due to high winds and heavy snow. This rare closure of the bridge stranded many winter travelers and highlighted the importance of respecting the power of Michigan's winter weather.