Michigan Timeline

Every state has a rich history that defines how it is known today. Using a timeline layout, students will research the history of Michigan and create a timeline of events. Students must think about what makes an event truly worthy of being included in the timeline and be able to include detail in their timeline.

For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.

Examples of Important Events in Michigan History

Here are five important events in Michigan's history for a timeline:

1701: Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founds Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, marking the beginning of European settlement in what would become Detroit, a pivotal event in Michigan's colonial history.

1837: Michigan is admitted to the Union as the 26th state on January 26, 1837, after resolving a boundary dispute with Ohio known as the Toledo War.

1913: The Ford Motor Company introduces the moving assembly line in Highland Park, revolutionizing manufacturing processes and making automobile production faster and more efficient.

1959: The Mackinac Bridge, spanning the Straits of Mackinac and connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, opens to traffic, becoming a vital transportation link and a symbol of Michigan's engineering prowess.

1967: The Detroit Riots, also known as the 12th Street Riot, erupt in July, marking a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement and highlighting racial tensions in urban America.