Skip to content
Detroit, MI November 2, 2026 Get the free newsletter ›

from “le détroit” · the strait

Submit a news tip

Section

History

The Detroit stories behind the places, people and records we still talk about.

Four papier mache heads from Italy started Detroit's Thanksgiving parade in 1924
HistoryLegacy
Four papier mache heads from Italy started Detroit's Thanksgiving parade in 1924 Detroit's Thanksgiving parade began in 1924 as a Hudson's promotion with four giant papier mache heads from Italy, and the Parade Company calls the 2026 edition on Thursday, November 26 the 100th. CBy Calvin · Nov 2, 2026
Noel Night's first crowd was 6,000 people and a sound truck playing carols on Woodward
HistoryLegacy
Noel Night's first crowd was 6,000 people and a sound truck playing carols on WoodwardNoel Night began as an open house in the Cultural Center on December 19, 1973, outlived the coalition that invented it, and returns free across Midtown on December 5, 2026.By Jamie · Nov 2, 2026 Jack White paid $142,000 to keep the Masonic Temple off the auction block in 2013
HistoryLegacy
Jack White paid $142,000 to keep the Masonic Temple off the auction block in 2013The Masonic Temple, 100 years old on November 25, 2026, was days from a tax sale in 2013 when an usher's son paid the bill without giving his name.By Marcus · Nov 2, 2026 The Tigers lost the 1934 World Series, so the Lions booked the Bears for Thanksgiving
HistoryLegacy
The Tigers lost the 1934 World Series, so the Lions booked the Bears for ThanksgivingThe owner of WJR thought his first-year Lions were getting lost behind the Tigers, so he booked the champion Bears for Thanksgiving 1934 and sold out the stadium two weeks early.By Calvin · Nov 2, 2026 Hudson's display crew had the 15th floor and spent most of the year on Christmas
HistoryLegacy
Hudson's display crew had the 15th floor and spent most of the year on ChristmasThe display department at Hudson's planned Christmas for most of the year, and up to 450,000 people a season rode up to Santaland on the 12th floor to see what it built.By Calvin · Nov 2, 2026 A Detroit ham salesman built the first spiral slicer from a tire jack and a pie tin
HistoryLegacy
A Detroit ham salesman built the first spiral slicer from a tire jack and a pie tinHarry Hoenselaar sold honey-glazed hams to Detroit drugstore lunch counters in the 1930s, built a slicer from a tire jack and a pie tin, and opened the first HoneyBaked Ham store on Fenkell Avenue in 1957 with his four daughters working it.By Celia · Nov 2, 2026 Berry Gordy wanted to call his label Tammy Records, and the name was taken
HistoryLegacy
Berry Gordy wanted to call his label Tammy Records, and the name was takenBerry Gordy quit Northeastern High to box, lost a jazz record store, worked the Lincoln-Mercury line, started Tamla Records with $800 from his family and sold Motown in 1988 for $61 million.By Marcus · Nov 2, 2026