1976 in Michigan

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1976 in Michigan
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Events from the year 1976 in Michigan.

The Associated Press (AP) selected the top Michigan news stories of 1976 as follows:[1]

  1. United Auto Workers strikes against Ford Motor Company lasting 28 days (from September 14 to October 12) and General Motors lasting 12 hours (from midnight until noon on November 19);[2][3][4]
  2. A forest fire lasting for two months from July until September that blackened 65,000 acres in the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in the Upper Peninsula with state and federal firefighting costs reaching $7.5 million;[5][6]
  3. Continued fallout from the Michigan PBB contamination incident in which a flame retardant chemical (PBB) was mixed with livestock feed, distributed to Michigan farms, and fed to 1.5 million chickens, 30,000 cattle, 5,900 pigs, and 1,470 sheep;[7][8]
  4. Voter approval on November 2 of a ballot proposal banning throwaway beverage containers;[9]
  5. Gerald Ford's November 2 loss to Jimmy Carter in the 1976 U.S. Presidential election, though Ford took Michigan's 21 electoral votes with 51.8% of the state's votes to 46.4% for Carter;
  6. A March 3 ice storm that left 200,000 homes in southern Michigan without power and caused millions of dollars in damage;[10]
  7. Congressman Donald Riegle's election to replace retiring U.S. Senator Philip Hart after defeating Secretary of State Richard H. Austin and Congressman James G. O'Hara in the Democratic primary on August 3 and Marvin Esch in the general election on November 2;[11][12]
  8. A violent melee on August 15 that erupted following a concert at Cobo Hall featuring Average White Band and Kool & the Gang with multiple robberies and beatings and two gang rapes;[13][14]
  9. The prosecution of two Filipina nurses, Filipina Narciso and Leonora Perez, in the Ann Arbor Hospital Murders in which 10 patients at the Veterans Hospital in Ann Arbor died mysteriously from respiratory failure;[15][16] and
  10. The state's fiscal year is extended by three months to avoid a deficit.

The AP also selected the state's top sports stories as follows:[17]

Mark Fidrych
Sheila Young
  1. The success of rookie pitcher Mark Fidrych who won 19 games for the Detroit Tigers,[18] was the starting pitcher for the American League in the All-Star Game,[19] led the American League with a 2.34 earned run average,[20] and was named American League Rookie of the Year;[21]
  2. The NCAA's imposition of three years of probation against the Michigan State Spartans football team for illegal recruiting and the firing of head coach Denny Stolz and athletic director Burt Smith;[22][23]
  3. The 1976 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a compiled a 10–1 record in the regular season and was ranked No. 1 before being upset by Purdue;[24]
  4. The 1975–76 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team that compiled a 25–7 record and advanced to the Final Four, losing to Indiana in the championship game;[25]
  5. Ron LeFlore compiling a 30-game hitting streak, the longest in the American League in 27 years, and stealing 56 bases for the Detroit Tigers;[26][27]
  6. Detroit speedskater Sheila Young winning gold, silver and bronze medals at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria;[28]
  7. Rick Forzano's resignation as head coach of the Detroit Lions on October 4,[29] the hiring of Tommy Hudspeth as head coach on October 5,[30] and the team compiling a 6–8 record;[31]
  8. The 1975-76 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team compiling a 25–3 record and advancing to the Sweet 16 round of the 1976 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament before narrowly losing to No. 2 ranked Marquette;[32][33]
  9. The Detroit Pistons selection of Marvin Barnes on August 5 with the fourth overall pick in the ABA dispersal draft;[34] and
  10. Bo Schembechler undergoing open heart surgery to perform four bypasses on May 20 and deciding to continue coaching.[35][36][37]

Office holders[]

State office holders[]

Gov. Milliken
Sen. Hart
Sen. Griffin

Mayors of major cities[]

Federal office holders[]

  • United States Senator from Michigan: Philip Hart (Democrat)
  • United States Senator from Michigan: Robert P. Griffin (Republican)
  • United States Representative, District 1: John Conyers (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 2: Marvin L. Esch (Republican)
  • United States Representative, District 3: Garry E. Brown (Republican)
  • United States Representative, District 4: J. Edward Hutchinson (Republican)
  • United States Representative, District 5: Richard Vander Veen (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 6: Bob Carr (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 7: Donald W. Riegle Jr. (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 8: J. Bob Traxler (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 9: Guy Vander Jagt (Republican)
  • United States Representative, District 10: Elford Albin Cederberg (Republican)
  • United States Representative, District 11: Philip Ruppe (Republican)
  • United States Representative, District 12: James G. O'Hara (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 13: Charles Diggs (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 14: Lucien N. Nedzi (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 15: William D. Ford (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 16: John Dingell (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 17: William M. Brodhead (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 18: James Blanchard (Democrat)
  • United States Representative, District 19: William Broomfield (Republican)

Population[]

In the 1970 United States Census, Michigan was recorded as having a population of 8,875,083 persons, ranking as the seventh most populous state in the country. By 1980, the state's population had grown 4.4% to 9,262,078 persons.

Cities[]

The following is a list of cities in Michigan with a population of at least 70,000 based on 1970 U.S. Census data. Historic census data from 1960 and 1980 is included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases. Cities that are part of the Detroit metropolitan area are shaded in tan.

1970
Rank 		City County 1960 Pop. 1970 Pop. 1980 Pop. Change 1970-80
1 Detroit Wayne 1,670,144 1,514,063 1,203,368 −20.5% Decrease
2 Grand Rapids Kent 177,313 197,649 181,843 −8.0% Decrease
3 Flint Genesee 196,940 193,317 159,611 −17.4% Decrease
4 Warren Macomb 89,246 179,260 161,134 −10.1% Decrease
5 Lansing Ingham 107,807 131,403 130,414 −0.8% Decrease
6 Livonia Wayne 66,702 110,109 104,814 −4.8% Decrease
7 Dearborn Wayne 112,007 104,199 90,660 −13.0% Decrease
8 Ann Arbor Washtenaw 67,340 100,035 107,969 7.9% Increase
9 Saginaw Saginaw 98,265 91,849 77,508 −15.6% Decrease
10 St. Clair Shores Macomb 76,657 88,093 76,210 −13.5% Decrease
11 Westland Wayne 60,743 86,749 84,603 −2.5% Decrease
12 Royal Oak Oakland 80,612 86,238 70,893 −17.8% Decrease
13 Kalamazoo Kalamazoo 82,089 85,555 79,722 −6.8% Decrease
14 Pontiac Oakland 82,233 85,279 76,715 −10.0% Decrease
15 Dearborn Heights Wayne 61,118 80,069 67,706 −15.4% Decrease
16 Taylor Wayne na 70,020 77,568 10.8% Increase

Counties[]

The following is a list of counties in Michigan with populations of at least 120,000 based on 1970 U.S. Census data. Historic census data from 1960 and 1980 are included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases. Counties that are part of the Detroit metropolitan area are shaded in tan.

1970
Rank 		County Largest city 1960 Pop. 1970 Pop. 1980 Pop. Change 1970-80
1 Wayne Detroit 2,666,297 2,666,751 2,337,891 −12.3% Decrease
2 Oakland Pontiac 690,259 907,871 1,011,793 11.4% Increase
3 Macomb Warren 405,804 625,309 694,600 11.1% Increase
4 Genesee Flint 374,313 444,341 450,449 1.4% Increase
5 Kent Grand Rapids 363,187 411,044 444,506 8.1% Increase
6 Ingham Lansing 211,296 261,039 275,520 5.5% Increase
7 Washtenaw Ann Arbor 172,440 234,103 264,748 13.1% Increase
8 Saginaw Saginaw 190,752 219,743 228,059 3.8% Increase
9 Kalamazoo Kalamazoo 169,712 201,550 212,378 5.4% Increase
10 Berrien Benton Harbor 149,865 163,875 171,276 4.5% Increase
11 Muskegon Muskegon 129,943 157,426 157,589 0.1% Increase
12 Jackson Jackson 131,994 143,274 151,495 5.7% Increase
13 Calhoun Battle Creek 138,858 141,963 141,557 −0.3% Decrease
14 Ottawa Holland 98,719 128,181 157,174 22.6% Increase
15 St. Clair Port Huron 107,201 120,175 138,802 15.5% Increase
16 Monroe Monroe 101,120 118,479 134,659 13.7% Increase
17 Bay Bay City 107,042 117,339 119,881 2.2% Increase

Sports[]

Baseball[]

  • 1976 Detroit Tigers season – Under manager Ralph Houk, the Tigers compiled a 74–87 record and finished fifth in the American League East. The team's statistical leaders included Ron LeFlore with a .316 batting average, Jason Thompson with 17 home runs, Rusty Staub with 96 RBIs, and Mark Fidrych with 19 wins and a 2.34 earned run average (ERA).[27] Fidrych led the American League in ERA and was selected as the American League Rookie of the Year and as the top sports story in Michigan in 1976. LeFlore had a 36-game hitting streak, the longest by a Tiger in 33 years, and stole 56 bases, the most by a Tiger in 60 years.
  • 1976 Michigan Wolverines baseball team - Under head coach Moby Benedict, the Wolverines compiled a 22–20–1 record and won the Big Ten Conference championship.[38] Pitcher Lary Sorensen and Mark Weber were selected as the team's most valuable players.[39] Second baseman Dick Walterhouse was the team captain.[40] Rick Leach led the team with a .345 batting average.[41]

American football[]

Basketball[]

Ice hockey[]

Other[]

Music[]

Albums and singles by Michigan artists or centered on Michigan topics that were released or became hits in 1976 include the following:

  • "Love Machine" by The Miracles was released in October 1975 and was ranked as the No. 7 hit on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1976.
  • "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" by Diana Ross was released in September 1975 and was ranked as the No. 43 hit on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1976.
  • Born to Die by Grand Funk Railroad was released in January 1976.
  • Diana Ross by Diana Ross was released on February 10, 1976. It included the song "Love Hangover" which was ranked as the No. 15 hit on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1976.
  • Live Bullet by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band was released on April 12, 1976. It was recorded live at Cobo Hall in Detroit.
  • Alice Cooper Goes to Hell by Alice Cooper was released on June 25, 1976.
  • "Detroit Rock City" by Kiss was released on July 28, 1976.
  • "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot was released in August 1976. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
  • Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder was released on September 28, 1976. It included the songs Sir Duke, Isn't She Lovely, and As. In 2003, it was ranked No. 57 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
  • Night Moves by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band was released on October 22, 1976. It was certified platinum and featured the songs, "Night Moves", "Mainstreet", "Rock and Roll Never Forgets", "The Fire Down Below", and "Mary Lou".
  • Free-for-All by Ted Nugent was released in October 1976 and was certified platinum.

Chronology of events[]

January[]

February[]

March[]

April[]

May[]

June[]

July[]

August[]

September[]

October[]

November[]

December[]

Births[]

  • January 28 - Jon Jansen, NFL offensive lineman (1998-2009), in Clawson, Michigan
  • April 27 - Blaze Ya Dead Homie, rapper, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan
  • July 28 - Huma Abedin, political staffer who was vice chair of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign for President, in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Gallery of 1976 births[]

Deaths[]

  • February 22 - Florence Ballard, founding member of The Supremes, of a heart attack at age 32 in Detroit[53]
  • March 10 - Haddon Sundblom, artist from Muskegon known for his images of Santa Claus created for The Coca-Cola Company, at age 76
  • April 2 - Ray Teal, actor from Grand Rapids (Sheriff Roy Coffee on Bonanza), at age 74 in Santa Monica, California
  • April - Myra Wolfgang, labor leader and women's rights activist, at age 61 in Detroit
  • May 20 - Syd Howe, left wing for Detroit Red Wings (1934-1946) and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, at age 64 in Ottawa, Ontario
  • June 15 - Jimmy Dykes, Major League Baseball player (1918-1939), manager of Detroit Tigers (1959-1960), at age 79 in Philadelphia
  • June 23 - DeHart Hubbard, the first black athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics (long jump, 1924), at age 73 in Cleveland[54]
  • August 31 - Frederick H. Mueller, United States Secretary of Commerce (1959-1961), at age 82 in Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • December 4 - Ace Gutowsky, NFL fullback (1932-1939) who held Detroit Lions career and single-season rushing records until the 1960s, at age 67 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma
  • December 13 - Victor A. Knox, Congressman from Michigan's 11th District (1953-1965), at age 77 in Petoskey, Michigan
  • December 26 - Philip Hart, U.S. Senator (1959-1976), from cancer at age 64 in Washington, D.C.[55]

Gallery of 1976 deaths[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Top State Story in '76: Editors Pick Auto Strikes". The Herald-Palladium. December 24, 1976. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Ford Workers Start Strike After Negotiations Deadlock". Detroit Free Press. September 15, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Ford Employees Ratify Pact". Detroit Free Press. October 13, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "UAW Ends GM Mini-Strike As Long Talks Bring a Pact". Detroit Free Press. November 20, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Seney Forest Fire Jumps Highway". The Herald-Palladium. September 13, 1976. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Seney estimate now $7.5 million: DNR asks more fire money". Lansing State Journal. October 15, 1976. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "PBB a Symbol for Tragedy (part 1)". Detroit Free Press. April 19, 1976. p. 3A – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "PBB a Symbol for Tragedy (part 2)". Detroit Free Press. April 19, 1976. p. 10A – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Ban on Throwaways Wins by Big Margin". Detroit Free Press. November 3, 1976. p. 1.
  10. ^ "Ice Storm Blacks Out 200,000 Homes". Detroit Free Press. March 4, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Riegle, Austin Duel: Esch Has Big Senate Lead; State Vote Is Light". Detroit Free Press. August 4, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Riegle Winner In Senate Race". Detroit Free Press. November 3, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Cobo Fest Erupts in Gang Violence, Rapes, Robberies". Detroit Free Press. August 16, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Youth Gangs Are Target: City Recalls 450 Policemen". Detroit Free Press. August 17, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "2 Nurses Suspect in VA Deaths". Detroit Free Press. March 2, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "VA Nurses Post Bond; Ex-Patient Dies". Detroit Free Press. July 1, 1976. p. 3A – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Fidrych Top 1976 State Sports Story". The News-Palladium. December 24, 1976. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Mark Fidrych". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  19. ^ "NL Ruffles The Bird's Feathers, 7-1". Detroit Free Press. July 14, 1976. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "1976 AL Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  21. ^ "Bird Named AL Rookie of Year". Detroit Free Press. December 2, 1976. p. 1F – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Spartans Hit with 3-Year Probation". Detroit Free Press. January 26, 1976. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "More dimissals on tap at MSU". The Lansing State Journal. March 18, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ a b "1976 Michigan Wolverines Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  25. ^ a b "1975–76 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results". SR/CBB. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  26. ^ "LeFlore Player of the Month". Detroit Free Press. June 6, 1976. p. 7G – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ a b "1976 Detroit Tigers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  28. ^ George Puscas (March 25, 1976). "Sheila Makes Us All Feel Like Winners". Detroit Free Press. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "'Heartsick' Forzano Quits as Coach . . . Lions to Name Successor Today". Detroit Free Press. October 5, 1976. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "New Coach Hudspeth: Lions Will Pass More". Detroit Free Press. October 6, 1976. p. 1F – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ a b "1976 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  32. ^ a b "1959–60 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results". SR/CBB. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  33. ^ "Broncos Lose". Detroit Free Press. March 19, 1976. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Elated Pistons Get Their Man: ABA Forward Marvin Barnes Drafted". Detroit Free Press. August 6, 1976. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Bo Getting To Be 'Ornery Old Self'". Detroit Free Press. May 22, 1976. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Schembechler Leaves Intensive Care Unit". Detroit Free Press. May 25, 1976. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Bo's on the Job But Doesn't Want A Fuss Over Him". Detroit Free Press. July 16, 1976. p. 1F – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "2012 University of Michigan Baseball Record Book" (PDF). University of Michigan. 2012. pp. 22, 71. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  39. ^ 2012 Record Book, p. 7.
  40. ^ 2012 Record Book, p. 13.
  41. ^ 2012 Record Book, p. 23.
  42. ^ "1976 Michigan State Spartans Stats". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  43. ^ "Central Michigan 2015 Football Media Guide" (PDF). Central Michigan University. 2015. pp. 100, 110. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  44. ^ "2014 Digital Media Guide: Eastern Michigan University" (PDF). Eastern Michigan University Football. pp. 169, 176. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  45. ^ "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  46. ^ "1975–76 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  47. ^ "1975–76 Detroit Titans Roster and Stats". SR/CBB. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  48. ^ "1975–76 Michigan State Spartans Roster and Stats". SR/CBB. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  49. ^ "1975–76 Detroit Red Wings Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  50. ^ "Michigan Tech Team History". College Hockey News. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  51. ^ "Michigan State Team History". College Hockey News. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  52. ^ "Michigan Team History". College Hockey News. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  53. ^ "Ex-Supreme Flo Ballard Is Dead". Detroit Free Press. February 23, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ^ "DeHart Hubbard, 72; Olympic Gold Medalist". The Cincinnati Enquirer. June 24, 1976. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ^ "Senator Hart Dies of Cancer". Detroit Free Press. December 27, 1976. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
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