University of Michigan Heritage Project

The First Flu Shot

As World War II loomed, the military turned to U-M experts to fight a deadly enemy: Influenza

Francis gained his original expertise as a lab researcher, but as an epidemiologist, he turned to the compiling of data.

Incontrovertible evidence is now available that the resistance of man to infection by the viruses of influenza A and B can be enhanced.

– Tommy Francis and Jonas Salk

More Stories:

Tom Harmon is Missing

^“I live in the hope that he is down and all right.^”
– Fritz Crisler

Michigan's greatest football player faced death after twice being shot down in World War II.
J-Hop’s Rise and Fall

^“There is a band playing no matter what anyone tells you and if you don’t believe it just go up to the hospital and ask someone who got there early and saw it before the crush of the crowd got them.^”
– Student Roy Heath

For generations of students, J-Hop occupied a pedestal in Michigan tradition just one level lower than football itself.
“Of Splendid Ability”

^“She will be the first colored lady that enters the institution.^”
– Ann Arbor Courier, 1876

Mary Henrietta Graham was the first Black woman admitted to Michigan.

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