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
SS Tashmoo's Launch & Michigan's First Native-Owned Casino | December 31
On this day in 1899, the 306-foot paddle-wheeler SS Tashmoo was launched in Detroit, becoming a beloved Great Lakes pleasure boat. It sailed for 37 years until…
- Michigan Minute
Repeal of Prohibition & Michigan's Official Wildflower | December 30
On this day in 1933, Governor William Comstock marked the repeal of Prohibition by purchasing the first bottle of whiskey sold in Michigan: Old Taylor Bourbon…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan’s Railroad & the Birth of Pro Hockey | December 29
On this day in 1953, the Detroit River Railroad Tunnel switched from electric to diesel-powered locomotives, connecting Michigan to Ontario. In 1902, Houghton…
- Michigan Minute
MSU's Spring Break Inspiration & "Where The Boys Are" | December 28
In 1959, MSU Professor Glendon Swarthout, inspired by his students heading to Florida for Spring Break, wrote a book about their experiences. The 1960 book…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan’s First Public Executions & the End of the Michigan Citizen | December 27
On this day in 1821, Michigan held its first public executions, where two Indigenous men performed a death dance before their hanging. It wasn’t until 1846…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan's Train Station, Ski Resort & Rosie the Riveter | December 26
In 1913, the first train arrived at Detroit’s Michigan Central Station, the tallest train station in the world at the time. In 1963, Boyne Highlands Resort…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan’s First Christmas, Iron King & Snowboarding Origins | December 25
In 1660, Michigan's first recorded Christmas celebration took place near Keweenaw Bay, documented by Father Rene Menard with French-Canadian traders and Huron…
- Michigan Minute
The Italian Hall Disaster & the Treaty of Ghent | December 24
In 1913, the Italian Hall disaster occurred in Calumet, Michigan, when a false "fire" alarm during a children’s Christmas party led to a deadly stampede…
- Michigan Minute
The 1888 Fire in Hermansville & Michigan’s Drinking Age Change | December 23
On this day in 1888, the lumber town of Hermansville, Michigan, near the Wisconsin border, was destroyed by fire. With no fire department and frozen water…
- Michigan Minute
Detroit’s WWI Sabotage Plot & Madonna’s First Hit | December 22
On this day in 1917, Albert Carl Kaltschmidt was convicted for leading a plot to sabotage Detroit businesses, Windsor, Canada, and a railroad tunnel in Port…
- Michigan Minute
Jemele Hill: From MSU to Media Icon | December 21
Born on this day in 1975 in Detroit, journalist and MSU alum Jemele Hill began her career in reporting at Mumford High School before earning a Journalism…
- Michigan Minute
Laura Smith Haviland: Michigan’s Abolitionist & Reformer | December 20
Born on this day in 1808, Laura Smith Haviland became a prominent abolitionist in Michigan. She and her husband founded the Raisin Institute in 1837, a reform…
- Michigan Minute
Detroit Symphony’s Debut & Michigan’s Celery Introduction | December 19
In 1887, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert in its subscription season at the Detroit Opera House, featuring works by Liszt…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan’s First Election & Motorized Fire Engines | December 17
On this day in 1798, Michigan’s first American election was held in the Northwest Territory, with Solomon Sibley defeating James May amid accusations of voter…
- Michigan Minute
Gov Bingham & Michigan’s First Aero Club | December 16
Born on this day in 1808, Kinsley Scott Bingham served as Michigan's 11th governor, U.S. Representative, and Senator. He signed the legislation creating…
- Michigan Minute
Pontiac Road & Lions’ First Championship | December 15
On this day in 1819, Michigan’s first surveyed road, Pontiac Road, opened, with wooden planks connecting Detroit to Pontiac, charging tolls for carts and…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan's Frostbitten Convention & Medal of Honor Heroism | December 14
In 1983, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime, setting an NBA record for the highest-scoring game. Pistons center Bill…
- Michigan Minute
Record-Breaking Pistons Game & MSU's Basketbowl | December 13
In 1983, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime, setting an NBA record for the highest-scoring game. Pistons center Bill…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan Dance Strike, Basketball & Oldsmobile's End | December 12
In 1919, the Coed Tap Dance Strike at the University of Michigan began when women were barred from using the Michigan Union taproom, leading men to dance…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan Tragedy, MSU Triumph & a Proposal | December 11
On this day in 1971, a methane explosion in a Lake Huron tunnel killed 22 men. In 1948, Michigan State University students celebrated the school’s Big Ten…
- Michigan Minute
Zachariah Chandler & Automotive Milestones | December 10
Born on this day in 1813, Zachariah Chandler, a staunch abolitionist and radical Republican, served as Detroit’s mayor and a four-term Michigan senator. On…
- Michigan Minute
Ford Family & Michigan Traditions | December 9
On this day, Gerald R. Ford's stepfather, also named Gerald Ford, was born in Grand Rapids. He raised the future president, instilling values like honesty…
- Michigan Minute
Diego Rivera & Michigan History | December 8
Born on this day in 1886, Mexican artist Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry Murals, painted in 1933, depict the Motor City and Ford Motor Company, and are still…
- Michigan Minute
Ellen Burstyn & Ensign Francis Flaherty | December 7
Born on this day in 1932 in Detroit, Ellen Burstyn went on to win the Triple Crown of Acting (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) after starting her career as a dancer and…
- Michigan Minute
Milestones in Art, Sports & Political History | December 6
On this day in 1881, the initial meeting to establish the Detroit Institute of Arts took place, led by Detroit Evening News founder James Scripps. A year…
- Michigan Minute
Remembering Chief Okemos and the USS Michigan | December 5
On this day in 1858, Chief Okemos died near Portland, prompting the Michigan legislature to rename Hamilton in his honor and dedicate a historical marker to…
- Michigan Minute
Milestones in Education & Scientific Discovery | December 4
On this day in 1844, Michigan Central College opened in Spring Arbor, becoming the first college in Michigan to offer degrees to women. It later moved to…
- Michigan Minute
Milestones in Mail Delivery, Labor & Civil Rights | December 3
On this day in 1896, Michigan introduced its first Rural Free Delivery (RFD) service in Climax, with routes spanning 25-30 miles and carriers earning $45 a…
- Michigan Minute
Milestones in Anti-Slavery, Automotive Innovation & Diplomacy | December 2
On this day in 1830, Elizabeth Chandler established the Logan Female Anti-slavery Society, Michigan’s first anti-slavery group, supporting the Underground…
- Michigan Minute
Rosa Parks' Act of Defiance & Legacy in Michigan | December 1
On this date in 1955, civil rights hero Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat in the "whites only" section of a bus…
- Michigan Minute
Celebrating Alice Cook & Early Michigan Territory Reports | November 30
Born in 1955 in Lansing, figure skater Alice Cook won silver at the 1976 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and represented the U.S. at the Innsbruck Winter…
- Michigan Minute
Milestones in Communication & Women's Suffrage | November 29
On this day in 1847, Michigan's first telegraph wire was completed along the Michigan Central Railroad Tracks, with early telegrams discussing the…
- Michigan Minute
Celebrating Berry Gordy Jr. & the Legacy of the Big Mac | November 28
Born in 1929, Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records, launching the careers of artists like Marvin Gaye and the Supremes. He received a Lifetime Achievement…
- Michigan Minute
Tragedy & Triumph: Thanksgiving in Michigan History | November 27
On Thanksgiving Eve in 1901, one of Michigan's worst railroad disasters occurred in southern Lenawee County, with official reports citing 23 deaths, though…
- Michigan Minute
Honoring Sojourner Truth: Advocate for Freedom & Equality | November 26
On this day in 1883, Sojourner Truth, the renowned abolitionist and advocate for civil and women’s rights, passed away in Battle Creek, Michigan. Born Isabella…
- Michigan Minute
The Controversial 1973 Tie: Ohio State vs. Michigan | November 25
The 1973 Ohio State vs. Michigan football game ended in a tie, leading to a notorious controversy in Big Ten history. With a conference championship and Rose…
- Michigan Minute
Celebrating Jim Northrup & a Feline Co-Author | November 24
Today marks the birthday of Detroit Tiger outfielder Jim Northrup, born in Breckenridge, MI, in 1939. He was key to the 1968 World Championship team, leading…
- Michigan Minute
Pioneering the Lincoln Highway: The Legacy of Henry Bourne Joy | November 23
Born on this day in 1864, Henry Bourne Joy envisioned uniting the coasts through the automobile. As the son of a Michigan Central Railroad president, he…
- Michigan Minute
Celebrating Design & Humor: Harley J. Earl & Cathy Guisewite | November 22
Born on this day in 1893, Harley J. Earl became the first head of design for General Motors, introducing the concept car as a vital design tool and marketing…
- Michigan Minute
Labor Strikes & a Life-Saving Moment in Michigan Sports | November 21
On this day in 1945, UAW workers began a 113-day strike against General Motors, advocating for wage increases in the wake of World War II. Fast forward to…
- Michigan Minute
Legendary Games: Tie & Turmoil in Michigan Sports | November 19
In 1966, the MSU Spartans faced Notre Dame in a highly anticipated college football showdown, which ended in a 10-10 tie as the Fighting Irish opted to run out…
- Michigan Minute
Time Zones & Musical Milestones in Michigan | November 18
On this day in 1883, railroads established American time zones, assigning Michigan to central time, although Detroit resisted until 1900. In 1931, the state…
- Michigan Minute
Remembering Bo Schembechler: Michigan Football Legend | November 17
In 2006, Bo Schembechler, the winningest coach in University of Michigan football history, passed away at 77 while filming a segment for an upcoming…
- Michigan Minute
Celebrating Donna McKechnie & Cesar Chavez's Advocacy | November 16
Born on this day in 1942, dancer Donna McKechnie from Pontiac rose to fame on Broadway, winning a Tony in 1976 for her role as Cassie in A Chorus Line. In…
- Michigan Minute
Milestones of the Ambassador Bridge and Unabomber Infamy | November 15
On this day in 1929, the Ambassador Bridge opened as the longest suspension bridge in the world at 7,490 feet, built with 21,000 tons of steel. On November 15…
- Michigan Minute
The Birth of Dodge Cars, Gas Lights & MVP Glory | November 14
In 1914, John and Horace Dodge produced the first Dodge automobile, the four-cylinder Model 30, known as “Old Betsy,” at their Hamtramck facility. In 2013…
- Michigan Minute
Celebrating a Pioneering Aviator: Suzanne Upjohn Delano Parish | November 13
Born on this day in 1922, Suzanne Upjohn Delano Parish co-founded the Air Zoo and famously flew a bright pink P-40 Warhawk during WWII. Though she joined the…
- Michigan Minute
Quirky Milestones & Firsts in Michigan History | November 12
On this day in 1904, Herbert Hughes made headlines when a chicken he beheaded ran around for another 17 days, drawing tourists to Sault Ste. Marie. In 1862…
- Michigan Minute
Historic Commemorations & Celebrations in Michigan | November 11
On this day in 1928, the Fisher Theater opened in Detroit, later remodeled for a more intimate experience. In 1975, Mariner Church tolled its bells 29 times…
- Michigan Minute
Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald: A Great Lakes Tragedy | November 10
On this day in 1975, a fierce storm claimed the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior, taking down the largest ship lost on the Great Lakes along with 29 crew…
- Michigan Minute
Celebrating Change: From Carriages to Carriers | November 9
On this date in 2013, the newest U.S. Navy aircraft carrier was named after Michigan's only president, Gerald R. Ford, with notable attendees like Senator Carl…
- Michigan Minute
Milestones in Voting Rights, Film & Valor | November 8
On this day in 1870, African Americans gained the right to vote in Michigan state elections, thanks to the 15th Amendment. In 2002, Eminem released "8 Mile," a…
- Michigan Minute
Tragedy, Trailblazers & Activism in Michigan History | November 7
This week in 1913, a devastating storm struck the Great Lakes, sinking 19 ships and claiming over 230 lives. On this day in 1950, Lansing welcomed Alexa Irene…
- Michigan Minute
The Mystery of the Imposter Legislator | November 6
On this day in 1962, an imposter named Daniel West was elected to Michigan's House of Representatives, claiming a background in local offices. He was reelected…
- Michigan Minute
Milestones in Michigan Women's History | November 5
On this day in 1918, Michigan became the 7th state to grant women the right to vote. In 2002, Jennifer Granholm was elected as the first woman governor…
- Michigan Minute
Celebrating Pioneers & Sweet Beginnings | November 4
On this day, we honor Cora Mae Brown, who became the first Black woman elected to the Michigan Senate in 1952, advocating for civil rights and fair housing…
- Michigan Minute
Notable Events in Michigan Sports & Business | November 3
On this date, we highlight key events: in 1927, Detroit Tiger Ty Cobb retired after 22 seasons, setting 90 MLB records. In 1972, Mackinac Island voters…
- Michigan Minute
Milestones in Michigan's Election History | November 2
On this date, we recognize key milestones: in 1920, Eva M. Hamilton became the first woman elected to the Michigan Legislature, and in 1954, Charles Diggs was…
- Michigan Minute
Michigan's Landmark Anniversaries | November 1
Today, we commemorate pivotal moments in Michigan's history: the establishment of the first European outpost by Robert Cavalier de la Salle in 1679, the…