1. Michigan officially became a state on January 1, 1837. After a long territorial period, Michigan was admitted to the Union as the 26th state.
2. On January 1, 1901, the first electric interurban railway in Michigan opened between Lansing and Detroit. This innovative mode of transportation linked small towns and cities across the state.
3. In 1970, the Detroit Lions played a controversial playoff game on January 1. Despite having a better record than their opponent, the Lions were forced to play an away game at a cold and snowy Dallas Cowboys stadium, leading to a defeat that sparked fan outrage.
4. On January 1, 2014, same-sex marriage became legal in Michigan following a federal court ruling. This landmark decision paved the way for marriage equality across the state and beyond.
5. The annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge takes place in various locations throughout Michigan. This tradition, which involves jumping into freezing waters to ring in the new year, draws thousands of participants each year.