The Detroit Lions open the 2024 NFL Season at home Sunday night at 8:30pm vs Matthew Stafford & the Los Angeles Rams. In celebration, the Lions will hold a drone show over downtown Detroit like the one they held over Michigan Central Station back in January. The show will take place 400 feet above Ford Field facing downtown this Saturday (Sep 7) at 8:45pm.
There’s a huge amount of excitement around the Lions this year following their stellar 2023 season – let us know how you’re feeling in the comments!!
I had a bit of a scare yesterday when I was informed by Facebook that my 14 year old Michigan in Pictures page had been removed for “impersonation”. Although they restored the page on appeal, I do have a request for everyone to sign up for email updates of posts with the “Subscribe to Michigan in Pictures!” link in the sidebar in case I’m not so lucky next time.
Brad took this photo ten years ago at Fort Wayne in Detroit. See more in his Detroit Gallery on Flickr.
Wait I have one more request! If you enjoy Michigan in Pictures, please feel welcome to send me money through Patreon!
First-time mom Bandia brought her beautiful baby into the world at approximately 2 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8. The baby is healthy and thriving under her attentive care. Our dedicated animal care team is ensuring that Bandia is receiving the best care during this time and that critical developmental milestones are being observed. Father Mshindi and the rest of the gorillas received extra “baby training” in anticipation of the birth. They are currently keeping their distance but seem very curious about the new addition to the troop.
They share that the Great Apes building & the outdoor gorilla habitat are temporarily closed, but the outdoor chimpanzee habitat will remain open. Follow them on Facebook & at detroitzoo.org for updates!
Antoine de la Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac petitioned King Louis of France to found a settlement at the south of Lake Huron in the fertile region known as le détroit to provide a secure foothold on the Great Lakes. Three hundred and twenty-three years ago, Cadillac, his men, and their Native guides traveled from Montreal and on July 24, 1701, Cadillac founded the settlement Fort Ponchartrain du Detroit in honor of King Louis’s Minister of Marine. Read more about the founding of Detroit by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac on Michigan in Pictures.
While the buildings, sports & of course the people of Detroit are all vital components, I think nothing speaks more to the three plus centuries of the City on the Strait than the river. It brought the rich soil & trade that enabled early growth, brought raw materials & carried away finished goods in later years, and it remains central to the city’s life through a gorgeous riverfront park system that hosts incredible musical & cultural events.
Detroit’s Belle Isle Park shares that the infamous Giant Slide – which briefly opened last August before quickly closing after riders were going way too fast – will reopen for the summer this Friday (July 19) from 11-6pm. Regular hours through Labor Day will be Friday 12:30 -5:30pm and Saturday & Sunday from 10:30-3:30pm. It only costs $1 per ride so I’m expecting plenty of pics from all of you!!
Now here’s a look courtesy GmacCash at what’s in store for you on the Giant Slide!
In July of 2023 the State of Michigan joined the wide majority of US states in declaring Juneteenth National Independence Day an official state holiday. The Michigan Advance writes:
Juneteenth recognizes the date, June 19, 1865, that Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, and read General Order No. 3, stating that all enslaved people were free, and that former masters and enslaved people were absolutely equal in personal and property rights.
Its importance has long been celebrated in the African-American community as the country’s second Independence Day, marking the last place in the former Confederacy that experienced emancipation. Although as the National Museum of African American History and Culture has noted, it was only through passage of the Thirteenth Amendment that slavery was truly abolished throughout the United States.
I selected this photo to share because for a long time, I believed as many others did that slavery ended at the end of the Underground Railroad or with the end of the Civil War. It certainly didn’t end there, and many of the structures remain firmly entrenched to this day. If you’re angry about this celebration, I encourage you to read this excellent piece in The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on the historical legacy of Juneteenth.
On Saturday, June 15 2024 the US & Canadian crews working on the Gordie Howe International Bridge from Windsor, Canada to Detroit joined the two sides. They share: 🌲Ironworkers on the #GordieHoweBridge project celebrate with a special ceremony dating back more than 1,000 years. Topping Out* symbolizes a connection and the evergreen tree indicates a job well done. It’s a cherished custom that Ironworkers say brings “good luck”.
Good luck to all this hardworking crew as they approach the finish line for this massive multi-year effort! Follow along on Instagram @gordiehowebrg.
I don’t know what else I have to say on the matter except that it’s good to see Detroit restore another piece of Michigan’s heritage & hope that you have a chance to see the renovations live in person or on TV tomorrow! From their release:
The sold-out, ticketed 90-minute outdoor concert will bring to life the spirit and soul of Detroit through an incredible lineup of musical performances, short films, appearances by local leaders, and creators telling stories of innovation and culture from around the city and the region. The star-studded program features iconic musicians and cultural legends, including Michigan natives Diana Ross, Big Sean, Illa J, Jack White, Kierra Sheard, Theo Parrish, Slum Village, the Clark Sisters, Sky Jetta and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. They will be joined by presenters including Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders and stars Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. These Detroit entertainment stars will be joined by other performers, including Common, Fantasia, Melissa Etheridge and Jelly Roll, along with presenters Mike Epps and Sophia Bush.
Chris took this photo at Michigan Central way back in 2009. See more in his Abandoned Detroit album.
The Detroit Grand Prix takes place May 31-June 2 in downtown Detroit where it began in 1982:
Again in 2024, the Grand Prix will provide unprecedented access with more than half of the event’s footprint along Jefferson Avenue and the beautiful Detroit Riverfront open to the public, free of charge. Grand Prix visitors will be able to enjoy complimentary access to the main fan activation areas at the event, including Spirit Plaza, Hart Plaza as well as the Riverwalk. Fans will be welcomed in these key areas that will feature live music, food, games and displays all weekend long, without the purchase of a Grand Prix ticket.
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