Shows / Michigan Minute
Michigan Minute
WKAR’s Jamie Paisley presents intriguing stories for each day in Michigan history. From name changes and iconic cities to arcane laws, Michigan Minute covers a wide variety of fascinatingly true tales from the Great Lake State. Interested in supporting the Michigan Minute?
Episodes
- Michigan Minute
Custer’s Rise & Michigan’s Pollution Fight | June 29
On this day in 1863, Monroe native George Armstrong Custer was promoted to brigadier general and took command of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, playing a key…
- Michigan Minute
Petoskey Stone & Mackinac Bridge Dedication | June 28
On this day in 1965, Michigan made the unique Petoskey Stone its official state rock, with a historic signing attended by Ella Jane Petoskey, granddaughter of…
- Michigan Minute
College World Series & Teju Cole’s Birth | June 27
On this day in 1947, the first College World Series baseball games took place in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where the University of California swept Yale, led by…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan Flag & State Motto Unveiled | June 26
On this day in 1911, Michigan adopted its current state flag, featuring the coat of arms with symbols of peace, defense, and wildlife — all topped with the…
- Michigan Minute
Detroit Cholera Epidemic & Quarantine Rules | June 25
On this day in 1832, Detroit issued strict medical guidance to combat a cholera epidemic, restricting boat traffic and public movement amid fears and outdated…
- Michigan Minute
Houghton-Hancock Bridge & Steamer Near Miss | June 24
On this day in 1960, the steamer J.F. Schoellkopf nearly collided with the new Houghton-Hancock Bridge when the bridge operator missed its whistle signal…
- Michigan Minute
Walk to Freedom & MLK’s Detroit Speech | June 23
On this day in 1963, 125,000 marched Detroit’s Woodward Avenue with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., marking one of the nation’s largest civil rights demonstrations.
- Michigan Minute
Joe Louis Knockout & Detroit’s Pride | June 22
On this day in 1938, Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmeling, becoming a national hero amid rising global tensions.
- Michigan Minute
Hirabayashi Case & Justice Murphy’s Dissent | June 21
On this day, 1943, the Supreme Court upheld Japanese Internment; Justice Murphy condemned it as racist and un-American.
- Michigan Minute
Tolkan’s Birth & Detroit’s 1943 Riot | June 20
On this day, actor James Tolkan was born in Calumet, and Detroit faced deadly 1943 housing riots amid war-driven growth and desegregation efforts.
- Michigan Minute
Juneteenth & Michigan’s Legacy | June 19
On this day, Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in 1865, a moment celebrated nationwide and honored by voices from Michigan and beyond.
- Michigan Minute
Checker Cab’s Start & Kalamazoo Pride | June 18
On this day in 1923, the first iconic Checker Cab rolled off the line in Kalamazoo, marking a milestone in Michigan’s auto legacy.
- Michigan Minute
Detroit’s First Auto Strike & Labor Roots | June 17
On this day in 1913, Detroit saw its—and America’s—first auto strike, shaping labor rights and the modern workweek across the nation.
- Michigan Minute
MSU Land & The Birth of Spartans | June 16
On this day in 1855, the land for Michigan State University was chosen, setting the stage for the state’s first agricultural college and Spartan pride.
- Michigan Minute
Michigan’s UP & The Toledo Compromise | June 15
On this day in 1836, Michigan gained the Upper Peninsula in a land dispute deal with Ohio, securing statehood and a treasure of natural beauty.
- Michigan Minute
Michigan House Censure & Hudson’s Flag | June 14
On this day in 2012, two Michigan lawmakers were censured over language in debate, and in 1976, Detroit’s Hudson’s retired its giant flag to the Smithsonian.
- Michigan Minute
Red Wings' Win & Tim Allen’s Michigan Roots | June 13
On this day in 2002, the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, and it’s also the birthday of Michigan’s own comedian Tim Allen.
- Michigan Minute
Marian Anderson & Slaughterhouse Five Win | June 12
On this day, Marian Anderson made U-M history as first Black female speaker, and Slaughterhouse Five was freed from a school ban in Michigan.
- Michigan Minute
Detroit Fire & Rising from Ashes | June 11
On this day in 1805, Detroit was nearly destroyed by a great fire—but the town rose from the ashes, inspiring its enduring motto of hope.
- Michigan Minute
Gordie Howe & Mr. Hockey’s Legacy | June 10
On this day in 2016, hockey legend Gordie Howe passed, leaving behind a record-breaking career and a lasting impact on Detroit and the sport.
- Michigan Minute
Sparty Statue & Michigan State Pride | June 9
On this day in 1945, Michigan State unveiled the original Sparty statue, symbolizing decades of Spartan athletic spirit and achievement.
- Michigan Minute
Flint-Beecher Tornado & Michigan’s Dark Day | June 8
On this day in 1953, an F5 tornado tore through Genesee County, killing 116 and injuring hundreds more in one of Michigan’s deadliest storms.
- Michigan Minute
Battle Creek Belle & A League of Her Own | June 7
On this day in 1932, Mary Moore was born in Detroit. She played for the Battle Creek Belles and slid into home in A League of Their Own.
- Michigan Minute
D-Day Orders & A Saginaw Soldier's Story | June 6
On this day in 1944, Gen. Eisenhower gave his D-Day orders to Lt. Wallace Strobel of Saginaw, Michigan—captured in a now-iconic photo turned postage stamp.
- Michigan Minute
Elly Peterson & Michigan’s Political Firsts | June 5
On this day in 1914, Elly Peterson was born—becoming the first woman to lead a major Michigan political party and a pioneer for women in politics.
- Michigan Minute
Ford’s Quadricycle & the 20 MPH Revolution | June 4
On this day in 1896, Henry Ford test drove his first gas-powered vehicle—the Quadricycle—paving the road to the future of automobiles.
- Michigan Minute
Pocket Protectors & Practical Invention | June 3
On this day in 1943, Michigan’s Hurley Smith patented the pocket protector—creating a simple, smart fix for ink stains and worn-out shirts.
- Michigan Minute
Galarraga's Imperfect Game & 28 Outs | June 2
On this day in 2010, Armando Galarraga lost a perfect game on a missed call, resulting in the now-legendary “28-out perfect game.”
- Michigan Minute
Company K & The Rise of Dodge Main | June 1
On this day in 1863, Michigan began recruiting Native Americans to form Company K, an all-Indigenous Civil War unit that fought with distinction under a live…
- Michigan Minute
Soo Canal Opens & Kellogg's Breakfast Flakes| May 31
On this day in 1855, the Soo Canal linking Lake Huron and Lake Superior was opened. And in 1884, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented wheat flakes, revolutionizing…
- Michigan Minute
Kaline's Close Call & Horton's Heroics| May 30
On this day in 1970, Detroit Tiger Al Kaline's life was saved by teammate Willie Horton after a collision on the field. Horton received an award for his quick…
- Michigan Minute
Lincoln's 'Michigander' & Cass's Military Tail | May 29
On this day in 1848, Abraham Lincoln coined the term "Michigander" to describe Lewis Cass, sparking a lasting debate over the correct term for Michigan…
- Michigan Minute
Kirk Gibson's Birthday & Sojourner Truth's Speech| May 28
On this day in 1957, Detroit Tiger Kirk Gibson was born in Pontiac, Michigan. And in 1851, Sojourner Truth delivered her 'Ain't I A Woman' speech, advocating…
- Michigan Minute
James Robinson's Valor & Detroit's Tribute| May 27
On this day in 2019, the Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution honored Private James Robinson, a Black soldier in the Revolutionary War and…
- Michigan Minute
Detroit's First Election & Model T's End| May 26
On this day in 1768, Detroit held its first election, with Philippe Dejean voted as judge and justice of the district. Public records show 31 men voted. And in…
- Michigan Minute
Thompson's Enlistment & Edmonds' Legacy| May 25
On this day in 1861, Franklin Thompson joined the 2nd Michigan Infantry, bravely serving as a spy, field medic, mail carrier, and soldier. Thompson…
- Michigan Minute
Florence Knoll's Birth & UP Expedition| May 24
On this day in 1917, Florence Knoll was born in Saginaw, Michigan. Her studies in architecture and design at a boarding school in Bloomfield Hills set her on…
- Michigan Minute
Pinball Ban & Gwen Frostic Day| May 23
On this day in 1939, the Detroit City Council voted to ban pinball machines from being played outside on the streets, concerned they were being used for…
- Michigan Minute
Underwater Stonehenge & Ferguson's Birth| May 22
On this day in 2015, divers discovered Michigan’s underwater Stonehenge on the bed of Lake Michigan. The ring of stones, resembling the British Isles'…
- Michigan Minute
Olds' Export & Michigan's State Song| May 21
On this day in 1892, Ransom E. Olds sold the first American car for export. His steam-powered car, featured in Scientific American, was bought by a company in…
- Michigan Minute
Lindbergh's Flight & MSU Student Strike| May 20
On this day in 1927, Detroit native Charles Lindbergh completed the first nonstop solo transatlantic flight, leaving Long Island’s Roosevelt Field and landing…
- Michigan Minute
Buick's Incorporation & Quadruplets' Birth| May 19
On this day in 1903, Buick, now a division of GM, was incorporated in Detroit. David Dunbar Buick and Walter L. Marr built the first automobile to be called a…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan's Death Penalty Ban & Tulip Time | May 18
On this day in 1846, Michigan outlawed the death penalty, becoming the first government in the English-speaking world to do so. Capital punishment was later…
- Michigan Minute
Douglass' Visit & Yooper Gold| May 17
On this day in 1866, Frederick Douglass visited Ypsilanti, Michigan, a hub of the Underground Railroad with a sizable Black community. He spoke about Lincoln’s…
- Michigan Minute
Top Gun's Debut & Jordan's Medal| May 16
On this day in 1986, Top Gun opened and became a smash hit. Written by Michigan State professor Jim Cash and his former student Jack Epps Jr., the film was a…
- Michigan Minute
Baum's Birth & Michigan Summer Home| May 15
On this day in 1856, L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was born. Before his famous 'Oz' rolled off the presses in 1900, Baum had the…
- Michigan Minute
MSU's Founding & Sophie Kurys' Legacy| May 14
On this day in 1857, Michigan Agricultural College held its first classes. Established by the Michigan Legislature two years earlier, the college initially…
- Michigan Minute
Stevie Wonder's Birth & Motown Legacy| May 13
On this day in 1950, Stevie Wonder, the legendary musician and Motown icon, was born in Saginaw, Michigan. From his chart-topping debut at age 13 to winning 25…
- Michigan Minute
Detroit Streetcar Workers Unionize, Riot, & Win | May 12
On this day in 1891, Detroit’s streetcar employees unionized. Starting in April, local transit workers picketed the Detroit Street Railway and Grand River…
- Michigan Minute
Brewer's Brigadier Promotion & Quimby's Birth| May 11
On this day in 1978, Margaret Brewer, a native of Durand, became the Marine Corps’ first woman brigadier general. Inspired by the Iwo Jima flag raisers, she…
- Michigan Minute
Christopher Curtis' Birth & Geralds' Expulsion| May 10
On this day in 1953, children’s author Christopher Paul Curtis was born in Flint, Michigan. His books, including "The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963" and…
- Michigan Minute
Eliza Leggett's Underground Railroad & Suffrage| May 9
On this day in 1815, Eliza Seaman Leggett, a key member of the Underground Railroad, was born. Her Michigan home welcomed many enslaved people and notable…
- Michigan Minute
Mike & Marian Ilitch's Pizza Empire| May 8
On this day in 1959, Mike and Marian Ilitch opened their first Little Caesars restaurant in Garden City, Michigan. Mike, a former Detroit Tigers farm team…
- Michigan Minute
Sophie Lyons' Life of Crime & Reform| May 7
On this day in 1924, Sophie Lyons, a famous rogue turned reformer, died in Detroit. Known as one of the country's most notorious thieves, she later dedicated…
- Michigan Minute
Daniel Gerber's Birth & Gerber Baby Food | May 6
On this day in 1898, Daniel Frank Gerber, the creator of Gerber Baby food, was born in Fremont, Michigan. His wife Dorothy suggested making and selling baby…
- Michigan Minute
Booker T. Washington's Speech & Free Press | May 5
On this day in 1903, civil rights pioneer Booker T. Washington addressed an enthusiastic audience in Detroit, advocating for unity and greatness. And in 1831…
- Michigan Minute
Ernestine Rose's Speech & Harwell's Legacy | May 4
On this day in 1846, the first woman to address the Michigan legislature, Ernestine Rose, spoke about women's suffrage. And in 2010, Detroit Tigers' beloved…
- Michigan Minute
Alpena's Placoderm Fossil & Sugar Ray's Birth | May 3
On this day in 2017: A rare fossil of a Placoderm, an armor-plated fish, was found in Alpena, Michigan, exciting paleontologists at the University of Michigan…
- Michigan Minute
LBJ's Great Society Speech & McCoy's Invention | May 2
On this day in 1964: At Michigan Stadium, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced his plans for "The Great Society" during the University of Michigan’s…
- Michigan Minute
Ford's 40-Hour Workweek Adoption | May 1
On this day in 1926: The Ford Motor Company became one of the first in America to adopt a five-day, 40-hour workweek for automotive factory workers. This…