Anyone who has spent time walking along the south side of Capitol Square has inevitably noted a rather large, dark, natural boulder featuring a bronze plaque. Though easy to mistake as a hulking sample of stone, it is in fact the last Civil War monument erected on Capitol Square.

The tradition of celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage in May dates to the 1970s, when the United States Congress began passing resolutions declaring Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. In the early 1990s, the previously 7-to-10-day celebration grew into the full month that we continue to observe today.

As you enjoy the new PBS special series Gospel: Where Song and Sermon Meet this month, remember that the rich history of Black music has many important ties with Michigan, and with our beloved Capitol building.

Life in the Capitol is full of unofficial tests. We test the waters with new ideas, we test the public’s appetite for change, and we occasionally test the limits!