12 Reasons The Entire Country Should Be Thankful For Michigan
By Serena Maria Daniels|Published November 24, 2015
×
Serena Maria Daniels
Author
Serena Maria Daniels is an award-winning freelance journalist in Detroit, by way of Chicago, by way of the West Coast. She writes about Michigan for OIYS. Serena enjoys learning about language and culture and taking road trips with her beagle Ralph.
This week, many of us will gather around dinner tables and give thanks to the many blessings in our lives. Some will give thanks to family. Others to the good fortune that has been bestowed upon them throughout the year. At Only In Your State, we give thanks to the many contributions that our state has given to our great country. So here are some of the things the whole country has Michigan to thank for.
During WWII, our state's many automotive companies expanded their reach by helping in the arms race, thus resulting in a huge asset to the defense of our nation's security.
In the Western Upper Peninsula region known as Copper Country is said to be the birthplace of organized professional hockey. Michigan teams from Calumet, Houghton, and parts of Canada and Pennsylvania formed around the turn of the 20th century to play. Today, the Upper Midwest remains a stronghold in the sport. Pictured here, the Calumet Laurium Miners.
Now an everyday household item for any young family, Gerber was created here by Daniel Frank Gerber. He began manufacturing Gerber baby food in 1927 in Fremont, after his wife was asked to prepare strained food for their own little one.
Michigan has the leading source of fresh water in the country, thanks to the presence of the Great Lakes. It's a reminder that we've got what other parts of the country deeply crave.
Chelsea Milling Company started in 1901 as a traditional flour mill, but expanded into retail with its prepared baking mixes in early 1930. The mixes may have fallen out of fashion in some households, but for decades they helped modernize the way Americans cook in the kitchen.
Post and Kellogg's both developed the country's first cereal brands just before and after the turn of the 20th century and thus revolutionized breakfast.
Detroit police officer William Potts started innovations in traffic light technology when he installed a yellow light at the corner of Woodward and Michigan Avenue. Who knows how many lives have been saved as a result.
In Michigan, ginger ale goes by one name: Vernor's. But did you know the United States was introduced to ginger ale 1866 by Detroit pharmacist James Vernor? You're welcome.
President Ford was the first and to date the only person to have served as both Vice President and President of the United States without being elected to either office. Before ascending to the vice presidency, Ford served 13 terms as Representative from Michigan's 5th congressional district, eight of them as the House Minority Leader. He was also appointed to head the Warren Commission by President Lyndon B. Johnson, a special task force set up to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
As you can see, innovations made in Michigan over the 20th century helped to transform day-to-day life for Americans. Other attributes have to do with our most precious natural resources. While others had to do with our economic might. Tell us though, what else should everyone in America be thankful for about Michigan? Tell us in the comments below!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
