37 Facts That Prove Michigan Is Undeniably The Greatest State
Great Lakes and Great Everydamn Thing Else.
1. We may be the only place in the world where you can find cities named both Paradise and Hell.
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To be clear, the one on the left is Paradise, Michigan.
2. Michigan pretty much invented the modern weekend.
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The two-day weekend has its origins in the Michigan labor movement and Henry Ford, who "gave his workers two days off back in the early 1900s, even though the federal government didn't mandate the forty-hour work-week until 1938."
3. We brew beers like nobody's business.
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Michigan is one of the top 5 states in the country for number of breweries.
4. Michiganders have a portable, always-available map that they have attached to their arms.
5. The Sleeping Bear Dunes have been named the Most Beautiful Place in America.
6. The world's favorite cereals were nearly all born in Battle Creek, "Cereal City," Michigan.
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7. You can get the best pastrami of your life at New York Times-acclaimed Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor.
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Pictured above: No. 67 — Jon and Amy's Double Dip.
8. Michigan also has some of the best universities in the world.
9. The Upper Peninsula is like a whole other state, packed to the brim with natural beauty.
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10. The amount of musical talent and influence our state has produced is insane. We've got Iggy Pop, papa of proto-punk from Muskegon...
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11. ...musical magician Stevie Wonder, who reps Saginaw...
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12. ...rapper Eminem, who also starred in Detroit-based film 8 Mile...
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Seen here watching the Pistons!
13. ...Madonna, who was born in Bay City and briefly attended the University of Michigan...
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14. ...and Detroit native Big Sean, who was signed by Kanye when Sean freestyled for him in the lobby of a local radio station.
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15. Motown Records in Detroit was home to some of the most influential musicians ever: Diana Ross, the Temptations, Smoky Robinson, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, and countless others.
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The Hitsville, USA location has been converted into a museum, seen above.
16. Saginaw is also the birthplace of legendary tennis star Serena Williams.
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17. Taylor Lautner was born in Grand Rapids and trained in martial arts in Holland, Michigan. So, ya know, you're welcome.
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18. Detroit workwear style is appreciated worldwide, with Dearborn-based Carhartt leading the charge.
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19. Eastern Market has been serving fresh produce and food to the citizens of Detroit for over 170 years, making it the "largest and oldest market of its kind."
20. As the home of Ford, GM, and Chrysler, there are car shows out the wazoo.
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21. For a different pace, Michiganders vacation in auto-less Mackinac Island, where bikes and fresh fudge reign supreme.
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22. The beautiful Islamic Center of America in Dearborn is one of the largest mosques in the United States.
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23. Our sports teams have amazing legacies and fans.
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...even if they don't always win.
24. The Red Wings have "the longest active streak in any major sport" with a playoff streak "older than goalie Jared Coreau."
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Anytime a Detroit team is in the playoffs, the Spirit of Detroit is adorned with its jersey.
25. Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin "Megatron" Johnson has the catching radius of a TWO-CAR GARAGE.
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26. Even Beyonce is a Michigan fan.
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27. Superman ice cream can be found in pretty much every Michigan ice cream shop.
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Mmm. Tastes like space and childhood.
28. Our two local pop brands beat ANY out-of-state competitors: Faygo...
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29. ...and Vernor's, which is the oldest ginger ale in the United States.
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Also, clearly the best.
30. The arrival of Lent is celebrated in the most glorious way possible: Paczki Day.
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If you know how to pronounce that word, you're either Polish or a Michigander.
31. Michigan produces 70 to 75% of the tart cherries grown in the United States.
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32. Shatila in Dearborn has some of the best baklava in the United States and will ship massive trays of gooey, pistachio-laced goodness pretty much anywhere.
33. The Detroit Institute of Art includes pieces by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Matisse...
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34. ...but there's also great public art, like the beautiful, eccentric thing that is Hamtramck Disneyland:
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Hamtramck Disneyland is located in the backyard of Ukranian immigrant Dmytro Szylak, who built it entirely by himself.
35. In Saginaw County, you can find two of the most zany tourists locations in the United States: Frankenmuth, a small town whisked straight out of Bavaria...
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The main attractions here are the cheese, chicken, and lederhosen.
36. ...and Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, which, at a length of 1.5 football fields, is the world's largest Christmas store.
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37. And let's face it, MIchigan basically owns the Great Lakes.
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We're in prime position to win the coming apocalyptic water wars. Canada, New York, and Wisconsin can suck it.