1. On May 9, 1825, the Erie Canal officially opened. While the canal runs through New York, it was a game-changer for commerce in Michigan. The canal allowed for easier transportation of goods from the Great Lakes region to the East Coast, making trade more profitable and efficient.

2. May 9, 1927, marks the day that The Detroit Police Department introduced the first female police officers into their ranks. The three women, Jessie O'Connor, Ethel Hutson, and Anna Lane, were assigned to the department's Juvenile Division and paved the way for women to join law enforcement agencies across Michigan.

3. The Flint sit-down strike began on December 30, 1936, but it was on May 9, 1937, that General Motors finally capitulated to the workers' demands. The landmark labor dispute not only brought improvements to workers' pay and working conditions but also helped to establish the United Auto Workers union.

4. On May 9, 1987, the Detroit Pistons won their first playoff series in over a decade, defeating the Washington Bullets in five games. While it may seem insignificant, this win was a turning point for the Pistons, who went on to win back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990.

5. On May 9, 2013, an EF-3 tornado touched down in Genesee County, causing damage to many homes and businesses. While no one was killed, the tornado served as a reminder that Michigan is not immune to the destructive power of severe weather.