America250Our Journey to 250 – U. S. Semiquincentennial CommissionOn July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. For more information about America250, visit america250.org. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Michigan, in partnership with America250, are commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States with various initiatives, including placing "America 250 Patriots Markers" in locations across the state to honor Revolutionary War Patriots. The DAR was the first heritage society to formally partner with America250, a nationwide commemoration of America's 250th anniversary in 2026 led by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. The DAR is dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. Learn more about the DAR's involvement with America250 at www.dar.org/America250. Michigan has its own America250 committee, America250MI, which focuses on engaging Michiganders in exploring the legacy of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution, fostering collaboration, and building a more inclusive future. Learn more about America250MI at www.america250mi.org. Learn more about the American Revolution at Ducksters.Statehood and Early HistoryHere are some notable historic anniversaries and events in Michigan's past, including statehood, key dates, and significant milestones: 1701: Detroit is founded as Fort Pontchartrain by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. 1715: The French establish Fort Michilimackinac at the Straits of Mackinac. 1760: The French surrender Fort Pontchartrain to the British, ending French rule in Detroit. 1787: After the Revolutionary War, the United States declared that Michigan was a part of the Northwest Territory of the United States in 1787. The British didn't leave right away, however, and it wasn't until 1796 that the British finally left Detroit. The U.S. did not fully gain control of all of the Upper Peninsula until 1818. Michigan became its own territory in 1805. 1792: The first election was held in Michigan under the British Parliament's Constitutional Act. 1796: The British evacuated Detroit and abandoned their posts on the Great Lakes. War of 1812: Michigan once again was taken over by the British at the start of the War of 1812. The Americans tried to take back Detroit at the Battle of Frenchtown in January of 1813, but were soundly defeated. However, later that year the Americans defeated the British at the Battle of Lake Erie and took back Detroit. Toledo War (1835-1836): was a boundary dispute between Ohio and the Michigan Territory over a narrow strip of land, now known as the Toledo Strip, which both states claimed. The dispute ended with a compromise where Michigan gained the Upper Peninsula in exchange for relinquishing its claim to the Toledo Strip and gaining statehood. Becoming at State: With the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, more settlers began to move to Michigan and the population grew. Michigan applied for statehood and, on January 26, 1837, Michigan was admitted to the Union as the 26th state. Detroit was the first capital, but it was later moved to Lansing in 1847. 1837: The first regular session of the Michigan state legislature convened in Detroit. 
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