On Oct. 18, 1918, despite the wishes of Detroit officials, Michigan’s Governor Albert Edson Sleeper and the state Board of Health ordered all places of public amusement and congregation closed, except for schools. The decision came after a heated debate with various local officials, many of whom argued against the order.

The school issue caused even greater debate, with many present arguing that children were better off remaining in their classrooms where teachers, nurses, and school physicians could monitor them for disease. Ultimately, that issue was left up to local communities to decide.