In the 2010 United States Census, Michigan was recorded as having a population of 9,883,640 persons, ranking as the eighth most populous state in the country. By 2018, the state's population was estimated at 9,995,915, and the state had become the 10th most populous state.
The state's largest cities, having populations of at least 75,000 based on 2019 estimates, were as follows:
2020 Detroit Tigers season – The Tigers compiled a 23–35 (.397) record and finished in last place in the American League Central Division. On September 19, Ron Gardenhire announced his retirement, effective immediately, for health reasons. Lloyd McClendon took over as interim head coach. The team's statistical leaders included Willi Castro with a .349 batting average. Miguel Cabrera with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs, and Spencer Turnbull with four pitching wins.[1]
2020 Michigan State Spartans football team - Under first year head coach Mel Tucker, the Spartans compiled a 2–5 record. The team's statistical leaders included Rocky Lombardi with 1,090 passing yards, Jordan Simmons with 219 rushing yards, Jalen Nailor with 515 receiving yards, and Matt Coghlin with 40 points scored.[3]
January 22 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra hired Jader Bignamini as its musical director[12]
January 22 - Detroit's Atwater Brewery acquired by Molson Coors[13]
January 24 - Michigan health officials reported that three Michiganders were undergoing testing for suspicion of having coronavirus[14]
January 27 - General Motors announced plans to invest $2.2 billion to convert its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant into the company's first all-electric vehicle plant.[15]
January 30 - President Trump visited a Warren automobile plant and touted the new North American trade deal[16]
February 7 - Jim Farley promoted to chief operating officer of Ford Motor Company[19]
February 10 - Luke Fickell turned down offer to become Michigan State's head football coach[20]
February 12 - Mel Tucker hired as Michigan State's head football coach[21]
February 14 - Former Michigan State gymnastics coach Kathie Klages found guilty by a Lansing jury of lying to police in connection with complaints about Larry Nassar in the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal[22]
February 21 - Michigan health officials reported that 325 Michiganders were being monitored for coronavirus[23]
February 27 - The last Chevy Impala rolled off the line at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant as the company closed the plant to retool for production of electric vehicles.[24]
February - Revelations of sexual misconduct by University of Michigan doctor Robert Anderson dating to the 1960s; more than 100 complaints lodged after hotlined opened February 19[25]
March 11 - After the first two confirmed cases of coronavirus in Michigan, Governor Whitmer urged frequent handwashing and urged cancellation of gatherings of more than 100 persons.
March 12 - NCAA, NHL, MLB cancel games due to coronavirus
March 13 - Governor Whitmer ordered closure of K-12 schools statewide due to coronavirus; Michigan's total confirmed coronavirus cases reached 16
March 17 - Governor Whitmer ordered closure until March 30 of the state's bars, restaurants, gyms, spas, theaters, and other public spaces[30]
March 18 - First Michigan coronavirus death is a Southgate man in his 50s.[31] Border between US and Canada closed to non-essential vehicles. UAW and Detroit's Big Three auto makers agreed to shut down North American car production.[32]
March 19 - Michigan reports total of 334 cases of coronavirus and three deaths
March 22 - As Michigan's confirmed coronavirus exceeds 1,000 with nine deaths, Gov Whitmer defended her decision not to order a statewide stay-at-home order similar to Ohio[33]
March 23 - Governor Whitmer issued statewide order for non-essential personnel to stay at home until April 13[34]
March 25 - Beaumont Hospital says it faces "biological tsunami" as it added 100 new coronavirus patients per day[35]
March 26 - Detroit and Wayne County declared a coronavirus hotspot with 1,389 cases and 26 deaths countywide. Governor Whitmer sought declaration from President Trump declaring Michigan a major disaster area.
March 27 - President Trump invoked Defense Production Act to order General Motors to produce ventilators. Detroit Police chief James Craig tested positive for coronavirus.[36]
March 28 - President Trump criticized Governor Whitmer, referring to her as "a woman governor" and saying "all she does is sit there and blame the federal government".[37] Trump also approved Michigan's disaster declaration.
March 30 - Oakland County saw spike in coronavirus cases to 1,391 with 59 deaths.[38] Governor Whitmer ordered $80 million cuts in state spending not related to coronavirus[39]
March 31 - Detroit's TCF Center converted into a 1,000-bed hospital.[40] Michigan's coronavirus death total reached 259 with 7,615 cases[41]
April 7 - The Michigan Legislature extended the State's emergency declaration through April 30[48]
April 8 - General Motors received $489 million contract to manufacture ventilator to respond to the COVID crisis[49]
April 9 - Governor Whitmer extended stay-at-home order to May 1 and banned travel between multiple homes[50]
April 10 - Michigan's coronavirus toll reached 22,783 cases and 1,281 deaths[51]
April 15 - Protests against the Governor's stay-at-home order at the Michigan State Capitol building.[52]
April 17 - President Trump tweeted a message to "Liberate Michigan!" The tweet was criticized as incitement of insurrection.[53]
April 23 - The Detroit Lions selected cornerback Jeff Okudah in the first round (third overall pick) of the 2020 NFL draft.
April 24 - Governor Whitmer extended her stay-at-home order until May 15.[54]
April 26 - Michigan's coronavirus toll reached 37,778 cases and 3,315 deaths[55]
April 28 - Michigan Congressman Justin Amash announced he was launching an exploratory committee to seek the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination.[56] On May 16, he announced that he had decided against running for president. He wrote: After much reflection, I've concluded that circumstances don't lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year, and therefore I will not be a candidate."[57]
April 30 - Protesters, some armed, gathered at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing to urge an end to Michigan's state of emergency[58]
May 1 - Calvin Munerlyn, a security guard at a Family Dollar store, was shot and killed after denying access to a woman with no mask.[59]
May 7 - Governor Whitmer extended the state's stay-home order through May 28 but provided for automobile plants to open May 18.[60]
May 8 - Michigan's coronavirus toll reached 46,326 cases and 4,393 deaths[61]
May 13 - A judge in Eaton County dismissed charges against former Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon for lying to police in connection with the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal.[62]
May 18 - Manufacturing operations resumed at Michigan's automobile plants.[63]
May 19 - Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that all 7.7 million registered voters in Michigan would be mailed absentee ballot applications enabling them to participate in August and November elections.[64] President Trump threatened to cut off funding to the state in response to the move.[65]
May 20 - Failure of the Edenville Dam results in flooding in Midland, Michigan.[66][67] The flood caused damages estimated at $175 million.[68] The State of Michigan sued the dam's owner to recover the expenses related to the flooding.[69]
May 21 - President Trump visited a Ford Motor factory in Ypsilanti. Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford asked that he wear a mask, and Trump complied for non-public portions of the plant tour.[70]
June 12 - Governor Whitmer lifted bans on overnight camps and some K-12 sports and extracurricular activities.[81]
June 15 - Michigan's COVID-19 toll stood at 5,772 deaths and 60,064 cases.[82]
June 18 - Governor Whitmer announced that Michigan's schools would re-open for in-person learning in the fall.[83] her plan for reopening was unveiled on June 30.[84]
June 19 - Federal judge Paul Lewis Maloney overrode Governor Whitmer's emergency order on closure of gyms.[85] The effectiveness of the order was delayed five days later.[86]
June 22 - The University of Michigan announced that it would bring its students back to campus in the fall.[87]
June 25 - Ford unveiled its new F-150 truck with a new body design.[90]
June 26 - President Trump, speaking on Fox News, said of Detroit and two other cities, "these cities, it's like living in hell."[91]
June 28 - Detroit police officers accelerated through a crowd of demonstrators and then left the scene. Police Chief James Craig stated that the officers believed they had been shot at.[92]
June 29 - Emoni Bates, rated as the best high school basketball player in the country, committed to Michigan State.[93]
July 1 - In response to an increase in the spread of coronavirus, Governor Whitmer announced the closure of indoor bar service in south and central Michigan.[95] The decision follows a spike of 170 cases tied to Harper's Restaurant and Brew Pub in East Lansing.[96][97]
July 1 - Michigan's coronavirus totals stood at 5,951 deaths and 64,132 cases.[98]
July 3 - A study was published based on a study conducted at Henry Ford Health System, finding that treatment of coronavirus patients with hydroxychloroquine resulted in a significant reduction of the death rate.[99] President Trump tweeted in support of the Henry Ford study on July 6.[100] Later in the month, Dr. Tony Fauci testified before Congress that the study was flawed and had "a number of issues", including the fact that it was not a randomized, double-blind study.[101]
July 9 - The Big Ten Conference announced a plan to limit sports competition for the fall semester to games against other conference opponents.[102]
July 10 - The fatal police shooting of Hakim Littleton in Detroit led to protests over the next two days.[103][104]
July 10 - Governor Whitmer expanded the state's mask requirement, requiring, among other things, any business open to the public to refuse entry to those not wearing a mask and making violations a misdemeanor with a $500 fine.[105]
July 14 - Sean Ernest Ruis of Grand Ledge was shot and killed by an Eaton County deputy after Ruis stabbed a 77-year-old man who confronted Ruis at a Quality Dairy store for not wearing a mask.[106]
July 17 - Congressman Justin Amash, a critic of President Trump, announced he would not seek reelection.
July 20 - President Trump announced that he was considering sending federal law enforcement officers into Detroit and other cities. Governor Whitmer responded: "Quite frankly, the president doesn't know the first thing about Detroit. . . . There is no reason for the president to send federal troops into a city where people are demanding change peacefully and respectfully."[107]
July 27 - The Detroit Tigers lost their home opener to the Kansas City Royals, 14–6. The game was played without spectators at Comerica Park.
July 29 - General Motors announced an $800 million loss in the second quarter, a result that was better than analysts had projected.[108]
July 30 - Ford Motor Co. announced a $1.9 billion loss in the second quarter.[109]
July 30 - A lawsuit filed by a former U-M student alleged that Bo Schembechler knew about sexual assaults by football team doctor Robert Anderson.[110]
July 31 - Fiat Chrysler announced a $1.2 billion loss in the second quarter.[111]
August 1 - Michigan's coronavirus cases totaled 82,356 with 6,206 deaths
August 2 - Michigan State Senator Tom Barrett, who gained notoriety for his opposition to Governor Whitmer's use of emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic, announced that he had tested positive for the virus.[112]
August 4 - Ford Motor Co. announced the retirement of CEO Jim Hackett and the promotion of Jim Farley as the new CEO.
August 8 - The Mid-American Conference announced the cancellation of its 2020 football season.[113]
August 11 - The Big Ten Conference announced the cancellation of its fall sports season.
August 11 - Mike Duggan announced that the old Michigan State Fairgrounds would be redeveloped as an $3.8-million-square-foot Amazon distribution center.[114]
August 18 - Michigan State University announced that it would conduct the fall semester with online-only instruction due to coronavirus concerns.[115]
August 19 - Casey Mize made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers.
August 19 - Kamala Harris, Democratic vice presidential candidates, campaigned in Detroit.
August 23 - Detroit police arrested 42 persons in connection with protests arising out of the July 10 shooting of a Detroit man.[116]
August 24 - A stretch of the Lodge Freeway was renamed the Aretha L. Franklin Memorial Highway.[117]
August 27 - Prosecutors charged former UAW president Dennis Williams with conspiracy to embezzle union funds.[118]
August 31 - The Detroit Tigers traded outfielder Cameron Maybin to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for infield prospect Zack Short, striking out seven and walking none in a 5–4 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
November 17 - After two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers voted against certifying the county's November election results, the board voted unanimously to certify the results. Wayne County's vote tally had favored Joe Biden by more than 300,000 votes, and an unprecedented refusal to certify would have thrown Biden's electoral victory in Michigan into jeopardy.[122]
November 23 - The Michigan Board of State Canvassers votes 3–0 to certify the state results of the presidential election, with Norm Shinkle abstaining.[124]
December 2 - Rudy Giuliani, counsel for President Donald Trump, presented allegations of election fraud to members of Michigan's House Oversight Committee in Lansing. He was accompanied by Melissa Carone, who claimed that 30,000 votes were counted multiple times, and Jessy Jacob, who claimed to have knowledge about improper backdating of absentee ballots.[125] The hearing was satirized on December 5 broadcast of Saturday Night Livecold open with Kate McKinnon portraying Giuliani and Cecily Strong as Carone.[126]
December 8 - Michigan recorded its 10,000th death from COVID-19.[127]
December 8 - The University of Michigan announced the cancellation of the annual football game with Ohio State due to multiple positive COVID-19 test result. At least 40 players were expected to miss the game due to positive tests, contact tracing, or other injuries. The game was not played for the first time in 103 years.[128]
December 14 - The first COVID-19 vaccine in Michigan was administered to Dr. Marc McClelland, a Grand Rapids pulmonologist.[129]
May 12 - Morris Hood III, member of the Michigan House of Representatives (2003-2008), Michigan state senator (2011-2018), at age 54 from COVID-19[143]
July 16 - Tony Taylor, Detroit Tigers second baseman 1971–1973, in Miami at age 84
August 9 - Kurt Luedtke, former executive editor of the Detroit Free Press and Oscar-winning screenwriter of Out of Africa, at age 80 in Royal Oak.[145]
November 29 - Tom Casperson, former state senator representing the Upper Peninsula, at age 61 due to lung cancer[146]
December 2 - Joseph L. Hudson Jr., longtime CEO of Detroit department store and philanthropist, at age 89[147]
December 13 - Sal Rocca, former member of the Michigan House of Representatives (1975-1980, 1983-1992, 1993-1994, 2001-2004), at age 74 due to COVID-19[148]
December 17 - Benny Napoleon, Wayne County Sheriff from 2009 to 2020, in Detroit at age 65 due to COVID-19[149]