"""Detroit in its world setting: a 250-year chronology, 1701-1951" http://www.archive.org/stream/detroitinitsworl00detrrich/detroitinitsworl00detrrich_djvu.txt DETROIT IN ITS WORLD SETTING A 250-YEAR CHRONOLOGY / / f 1701-1951 DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY DETROIT, MICHIGAN ' ' ' 1953 Copyright 1953 by the DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY Library of Congress catalog card number 53-11686 Dedicated to KENNETH L MOORE 1891-1951 Staunch Friend of Libraries, Public-Spirited Citizen, Enthusiastic Historian whose interest in this Chronology while the work was in its formative stages was responsible for its being brought to the attention of McGregor Fund. The printing of the Chronology was made possible by a publishing grant which the Detroit Public Library received from McGregor Fund. On behalf of educational institutions and individual users who will benefit through the issuance of this publication, the Library wishes to acknowledge its own and their indebtedness to McGregor Fund for invaluable and considerable financial assistance realized through this grant. INTRODUCTION As PART OF ITS CONTRIBUTION to the celebration of Detroit's 250th anni- versary, the Library undertook the preparation of a Chronology for the period 1701 to 1951. The object of the Chronology is to show Detroit in its world setting, so that events in Detroit can be viewed in the light of events of national and international importance and these larger happen- ings in turn as reflected in Detroit. "Detroit in its world setting - a 250 year chronology - 1701-1951" Page | 1 | of 296 Since the Chronology covers so many years and so many subjects, each item is obviously brief and great selectivity was necessary in choosing the events to be included. Influential and widespread occurrences and those of future as well as contemporary importance were preferred. Items were chosen to show change and to show progress, namely, the development of an idea or an object. The aim has been to present people's daily living and interests; therefore, the popular, the homely everyday things have been included as well as the great. The Chronology is not a full, detailed history but rather a framework on which to organize one's memories of men and events and fads and fancies. It indicates not only rulers and wars but also what people were reading, how they amused themselves, what songs they sang, what kind of clothes they wore, what inventions affected their lives, etc. With such a tool as this Chronology it is possible to pick out the events of any par- ticular year or to trace a subject through two and a half centuries. For example, one can follow the course of exploration or the conquest of disease or the changes in transportation. Many chronologies of one sort or another are available in published form. This Chronology differs from others in that it is local in orientation. Detroit is the focus. Events in Detroit are given a separate and the leading listing. Events of local importance or interest are included whether or not they had national influence. Events of national importance may be treated in their local sense in the Detroit section as well as in their greater aspect elsewhere. Since so much of the early history of Detroit coincided with that of Michigan before statehood and since Detroit plays such a large role in the state and is inextricably bound up with state events, Michigan as well as Detroit is included in this local emphasis. Moreover this compilation is American in orientation. Although its scope is worldwide, events in the United States receive major attention and "first" when used without other qualification means the "first American." The Chronology, under each year, is divided into four sections or categories, viz., (1) Detroit and Michigan listing local events in general and social history, and intellectual, cultural, scientific, technical, and com- mercial progress; ( 2 ) World History covering political, military and dip- lomatic history, religion, labor, social welfare, governmental and legal progress, public health, crime, disasters, exploration, and expositions; ( 3 ) Cultural Progress including such topics as fads and fashions, education, recreation, sports, movies, radio and television as entertainment, the arts (music, theater, painting and sculpture, architecture), books and reading, magazines, newspapers, and other publications; and (4) Scientific and Commercial Progress devoted to events in the biological and physical sciences, medicine, technology (invention, industry, transportation), agri- culture, applied arts and crafts, household arts and food, advertising, com- merce, business and finance. Because of the size and complexity of such a project, the preparation of the Chronology has taken much time and effort. All Library reference departments co-operated by selecting the significant events in its subject fields. The Chief of the History and Travel Department, serving as editor, classified and arranged the items, verified the data, filled in gaps, and checked discrepancies. Considerable effort was made during this editorial proc- ess to eliminate inconsistencies and inaccuracies, but it has not been possible to recheck formally every one of the thousands of items. No doubt omissions and errors both of fact and in arrangement will appear. If users of the Chronology will point these out to the editor, corrections can be "Detroit in its world setting - a 250 year chronology - 1701-1951" Page | 2 | of 296 made in any future editions. The items themselves were taken from books, magazines, manu- scripts, and other reference sources usually found in libraries. Especially helpful were books such as Famous First Facts, by Joseph N. Kane; the Variety Radio Directory; and Langer's Encyclopedia of World History. A Short Chronology of American History, by Irving and Nell Kull was available for consultation in the final editorial stages. Specialized sources were also used such as clippings from Detroit newspapers and the extensive files of the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Public Library. At one time or another practically every staff member in the Library's reference services contributed to this Chronology in greater or lesser degree. Among the persons who contributed especially should be mentioned the staff of the Burton Historical Collection who checked the Detroit items, Miss Naomi Picquet of the Catalog Department, who assisted in the early editorial work, the typists who patiently deciphered much-revised copy, the several staff members who critically read the items for clarity, and Miss Catharine Haughey, Chief of Publications and Exhibits, who designed the book and saw it through the press. The entire project was conceived and supervised by Mr. Ralph A. Ulveling, the Director of the Detroit Public Library. RAE ELIZABETH RIPS, Editor July, 1953 CATEGORIES AND THEIR SCOPE DETROIT AND MICHIGAN General and Social History Intellectual and Cultural Progress Scientific, Technical and Commercial Progress WORLD HISTORY Political Social Military Diplomatic Religious Public Services Social Welfare Labor Explorations Crime Disasters CULTURAL PROGRESS The Arts Literature Education Fashion Music Theater Movies Painting Architecture Books and Reading Journalism Radio Recreation Games Sports Fads "Detroit in its world setting - a 250 year chronology - 1701-1951" Page | 3 | of 296 SCIENTIFIC AND COMMERCIAL PROGRESS Science : Natural Physical Medical Technology : Invention Industry Transportation Applied Arts and Crafts Household Arts Food Business Commerce Finance Agriculture DETROIT IN ITS WORLD SETTING Detroit and Michigan 1701. July 24. Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac with his company of soldiers and traders landed at site of present city of Detroit and built a stockade which he named Fort Pontchartrain. This fort occupied the area now bounded on the east by Griswold Street, on the west by Wayne Street, and from the River at Woodbridge Street to about Larned Street. July 26. St. Anne's Day observed with Mass said by priest in Cadillac's company. Founding of St. Anne's Church probably dates from this service. Oct. 7. French wheat sown by the inhabitants of Fort Pontchartrain. Harvested following July. Oct. 31. Company of the Colony of Canada given exclusive right to trade at Detroit. Madame Cadillac and Madame Tonty arrived in Detroit in the autumn, the first white women in the west. Child of Cadillac born and died latter part of 1702. World History 1701. Population of the American colonies about 275,000. The second city in the United States to receive a charter was Philadelphia. Had been founded in 1682 by William Penn. Captain Kidd, the notorious pirate, was hanged in England. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts founded by Thomas Bray of the Anglican Church. Cultural Progress 1701. Women of fashion in France wore full skirts over hoops, tight bodices, and caps made of lace, gauze, linen or lawn. The hoop skirt was prevalent both in Europe and in the American colonies by 1713. Men who followed French fashion leadership wore knee breeches, hose and buckled shoes, a long coat to the knees, a long waistcoat, ruffled cravat, and three-cornered hats. Wigs or perukes were long. 1 "Detroit in its world setting - a 250 year chronology - 1701-1951" Page | 4 | of 296 1701-1715. Madame de Maintenon continued as the favorite of Louis XIV, who had married her in 1685. Her influence was toward sobriety in conduct and fashion. 1701. Jean Antoine Watteau (1684-1721) the favorite painter. His gay, rustic scenes influenced fashion and typified the frivolity of the age of Louis XV. 1701-1750. As in the previous half century the favorite reading matter was religious in character. Robert Russell's Seven Sermons was a best seller in 1701 and the form continued popular. 1701. Cotton Mather the leading American divine. His Death Made Easy and Happy was published this year. Magnalia Christi Americana appeared in 1702 and Day Which the Lord Has Made in 1703. Yale College chartered by Connecticut General Court. Founded 1700. Scientific and Commercial Progress 1701. Jethro Tull invented the seed drill which dropped seeds in rows.