1. On January 5, 1837, the Michigan Territory officially became a state, making it the 26th state to join the United States. The state capital, Detroit, was chosen as the first capital of the new state.

2. On January 5, 1933, construction began on the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit, Michigan, to Windsor, Ontario, Canada. When it was completed in 1929, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world.

3. On January 5, 1969, the Detroit Lions won their first NFL championship in team history, defeating the Cleveland Browns 31-7 in the NFL Championship Game. The Lions would not win another championship until 2021, when they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVI.

4. On January 5, 1979, former Michigan governor George Romney passed away at the age of 88. Romney served as governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969 and was the father of former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

5. On January 5, 2020, the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 84-78 in double overtime. The game was notable for the performance of Michigan guard Zavier Simpson, who recorded a triple-double (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists) in the victory.