1. On September 12, 1953, the Mackinac Bridge connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas was officially opened to traffic. At the time of its completion, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world.

2. In 1987, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy was founded in Traverse City, Michigan. The academy trains future maritime officers and engineers, preparing them for careers on the Great Lakes and beyond.

3. On September 12, 1878, the Michigan State Fair opened in Detroit for the first time. Today, the Michigan State Fair is held annually in Novi and features a variety of agricultural, industrial, and entertainment exhibits.

4. The University of Michigan's football team played its first game on September 12, 1879, defeating Racine College 1-0. Since then, the Wolverines have become one of the most storied college football programs in the country.

5. On September 12, 1966, the Ford Motor Company introduced its new Mustang model at a press conference in Dearborn, Michigan. The Mustang went on to become one of the most iconic cars in American history and helped create a new era of "muscle cars" in the United States.