1. In 1837, Michigan became the 26th state to join the Union. The state's capital, Lansing, was not established until 1839.

2. In 1950, the deadliest plane crash in Michigan history occurred near the Manistee National Forest. All 58 passengers and crew members on board were killed.

3. The Detroit Pistons won their first NBA championship on January 31, 1989. Led by Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, the Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in four games.

4. On January 31, 1997, the city of Grand Rapids inaugurated the world's first publicly-funded community college dedicated solely to liberal arts education. The school, now known as Grand Rapids Community College, serves over 15,000 students annually.

5. The Great Lakes are a significant part of Michigan's culture and economy. The Great Lakes Maritime Academy, located in Traverse City, trains future captains and crew members for the shipping industry. The academy was founded on January 31, 1949.