Michigan's Important Events

French Explorers Arrive In Michigan

Nov 30, 1620

French Canadian explorers arrived in upper region of Michigan.

First European visits Michigan

Jan 1, 1622

Etienne Brule' of France finds 15,000 Indians living in what we now know as Michigan.

Jean Nicolet explores Mackinac area

Nov 30, 1634

Jean Nicolet passed trough straits of Mackinac while exploring
area.

Pierre-Espirit Radisson and Medard Des Grosilliers whent to western Lake Superior

Dec 2, 1659

Pierre-Espirit Radisson andMedard Des Grosilliers traveled to western Lake Superior with fur trading native amaricans.

Copper Found In Michigan

Nov 30, 1665

Claude- Jean Allouez and followers reported copper deposits in Keweenaw Peninsula region.

First Permanent European settlement

Dec 2, 1668

First permanent european settlement establish by French missonaries, Fathers Dablon and Marquette, at Sault Marie.

French Explored River

Dec 2, 1673

Jesuit missionary, Jacques Marquette and fur trader Louis Jolliet, led small group to explore a great river called Messissippi by Indians.

Fort Miami Abandoned

Dec 3, 1680

LaSalle abandoned Fort Miami; traveled across Lower Peninsula.

Fort St. Joseph Established

Dec 3, 1686

Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut established Fort St. Joseph which is now called Port Huron.

Fort Miami Established

Dec 1, 1697

Rene Rrobert Cavelier and Siear De La Salle established Fort Miami;first french fort in the area.