Michigan Celebrates 175th Birthday On Anniversary Of Statehood (PHOTOS)

It's been 175 years since 1837, when Michigan and Ohio signed a truce after a brief skirmish over the hotly contested property of the Toledo Strip.

Ohio might have gotten the fair city of Toledo, but in exchange Michigan got the riches of the Upper Peninsula -- a much better deal, we think.

With the matter of territory cleared up, President Andrew Jackson signed Michigan into statehood on Jan. 26, 1837, making the mitten the 26th state in the union.

Since then, Michiganders from Motown crooners to union strikers have worked to make their home great. From Copper Country to Little Bavaria, from Poletown to Black Bottom, diverse communities come together to form the only true Mitten State.

There are far too many great Michigan stories to tell, so if you're itching to dive into history, we'll point you to the treasure troves of the Michigan eLibrary collection and the fascinating history blog Night Train to Detroit.

But first check out photos below of some of the important events, people and places in the state's 175 year history. If you really want to celebrate Michigan's 175th birthday, add your own photographs. And always remember: "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."