Happy Birthday To The Great State Of Michigan!

Today (January 26th) is the anniversary of Michigan being admitted to the United States of America.

On January 26th, 1837, Michigan was admitted as the 26th state to the union.  That makes the state 185 years old.

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Most of you know the basic facts of the state.  It has been known as "The Wolverine State", "The Great Lakes State", and "The Mitten State" (named after the shape of the lower peninsula).

Michigan is also one of the larger states in America in terms of overall size (ranks ninth in total area).  And right around 10 million people (give or take a few thousand either way) live here.  And nearly 40% of Michigan overall population is in Southeastern Michigan (the Detroit area).

Notable athletes/sports personalities you may not know who were born in Michigan are/were:

Former head of the International Olympic Committee, Avery Brundage (born in Detroit)

All-time great tennis player Serena Williams (pictured above) was born in Saginaw

Julie Krone, the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown horse race (born in Benton Harbor)

Eddie Cicotte, one of the 1919 Chicago White Sox players involved in the Black Sox scandal (bon in Springwells)

Former National College Basketball Player of the Year Kenyon Martin (born in Saginaw)

Former NFL running back John "Frenchy" Fuqua, who was involved in "The Immaculate Reception" (born in Detroit)

The legendary Notre Dame football great George Gipp (born in Laurium)

Former NFL linebackers Pepper Johnson and Bart Scott (both born in Detroit)

Golfer and former Ryder Cup member Calvin Peete (born in Detroit)

As far as broadcasters go, the great Mike Wallace (CBS News, 60 Minutes) graduated from the University of Michigan.  Dick Enberg (NBC, CBS) was from Armada.  Mike Tirico (ESPN, and now NBC) lives in Ann Arbor.

Just a few interesting facts about our great and beautiful state, Happy Birthday Michigan!!!