HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICHIGAN: THE 26TH STATE TO JOIN THE UNION ( JANUARY 1837 )

Michigan Fun Facts! –

• The name “Michigan” is the French form of the Ojibwa Indian word meaning “large or fresh water”.
• Nicknamed “the Great Lakes State”, Lake Ontario is the only great lake which does not boarder Michigan.
• Michigan has 129 lighthouses.
• Michigan has the second longest coastline in our nation, however it has the distinct honor of the longest freshwater coastline.
• Mackinac Bridge opened to the public in November, 1957.
• I-75 is 395 miles in length and beginning at its southerly point in Ohio, it extends northward to Sault Ste. Marie’s International Bridge. Sault Ste. Marie was established as the first European settlement in Michigan in 1668.
• The world’s largest limestone quarry is in Rogers City, Michigan.
• Gibson Guitar Corporation was founded in 1902 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
• Detroit pharmacist, James Vernor, invented Vernor’s Ginger Ale in 1866.
• Henry Ford began the first automotive assembly line in 1913.
• The world’s largest crucifix is located at Cross of the Woods, Indian River, Michigan.
• Michigan is first in production of tart cherries.
• In 1879 Detroit was first in the nation to be assigned telephone numbers.
• With 5 national parks and over 100 state parks, Michigan residents are never more than 6 miles from any given water source and within 85 miles of the bordering great lakes.
• By area, Michigan ranks 11th in land size and 10th in population of all U.S. states

State Bird: Robin  –  State Flower: Apple Blossom  –  State Fish: Brook Trout