LANSING (WKZO) -- The state's 48th governor commemorates the 200th birthday of the state's first governor.  Governor Snyder says that Stevens T. Mason's story is the story of Michigan's birth.

Snyder says, "Although his actions often made him unpopular in his time, today we owe Stevens T. Mason thanks for his relentless pursuit of statehood."  He adds that despite numerous refusals from Congress, Mason forged ahead and led a convention that resulted in Michigan joining the Union.  Snyder adds that Mason did that and much more by the age of 25.