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?
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 1 minutes
- Episodes
- 446
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
Iron Ore Discovery & Bissell Sweeper | September 19
Today in 1844, William Austin Burt discovered iron ore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, fueling future steel production. On September 15, 1876, Melville Bissell was granted a patent for the mechanical …
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Fri 19 Sep 2025
Ben Carson's Birthday & Hazel Stimson | September 18
Today in 1951, neurosurgeon and political figure Ben Carson was born in Detroit, Michigan. Carson later gained prominence as a presidential candidate and HUD Secretary. On September 18, 1918, Hazel S…
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Thu 18 Sep 2025
Record Ice Cream Sundae & Paul Feig | September 17
Today in 2016, Nashville, Michigan reclaimed the world record for the longest ice cream sundae with a 3,656-foot creation. In 1962, Paul Feig was born in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Feig is renowned for…
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Wed 17 Sep 2025
Yooper Medal of Honor & U-M’s First Black QB | September 16
Today in 1944, Yooper Sergeant Oscar Johnson of Foster City earned the Medal of Honor for his valor in WWII. Johnson later farmed and attended Michigan State University, with the Iron Mountain VA Med…
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Tue 16 Sep 2025
Michigan Tech’s Start & First Phone Book | September 15
Today in 1886, Michigan Mining School held its first classes in Houghton Fire Hall, evolving into Michigan Tech. Meanwhile, in 1878, Michigan's first phone book, "List of Subscribers," was published …
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Mon 15 Sep 2025
Detroit Tribune & Pop-Tarts Debut | September 14
On this day in 1935, the first issue of the Detroit Tribune, a historic Black newspaper, was published. It continued until 1966 and is now available online. In 1964, Kellogg’s of Battle Creek beat Po…
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Sun 14 Sep 2025
Michigan Cemeteries Desegregated | September 13
On this day in 1966, the Michigan Court of Appeals desegregated cemeteries, ending racial segregation in final resting places. This decision followed the disinterment of an indigenous WWI veteran due…
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Sat 13 Sep 2025
First Flight in Grand Rapids | September 12
On this day in 1911, J. Clifford Turpin made the first flight over Grand Rapids at the West Michigan State Fair. His Model B plane, with wheels for takeoff and landing, soared above Comstock Park. Al…
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Fri 12 Sep 2025
Michigan Scandal Ends with Expulsions | September 11
In 2015, Michigan Representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat were embroiled in a scandal involving fake stories and misuse of taxpayer funds. Courser resigned, and Gamrat was expelled by a 91-12 v…
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Thu 11 Sep 2025
Big Annie’s Protest and Mickey Mantle’s Home Run | September 10
Today in 1913, Ana Clemenc, known as “Big Annie,” was jailed during a protest at Calumet mine while supporting striking miners. She was convicted of assault but continued advocating for workers’ righ…
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Wed 10 Sep 2025
Dr. Ossian Sweet's Historic Struggle | September 9
Today in 1925, Dr. Ossian Sweet and his family were attacked by a white mob in Detroit after moving to a neighborhood considered beyond the color line. In self-defense, shots were fired, resulting in…
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Tue 09 Sep 2025
Celebrating Eleanore Hutzel and Gerald Ford's Controversial Pardon | September 8
Today in 1885, Eleanore Hutzel was born in Ann Arbor. She became a pioneering advocate for women's and children's rights, leading the Women's Division of the Detroit Police Department. On this day in…
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Mon 08 Sep 2025
Michigander's Historic Spaceflight | September 7
Today in 1956, Michigan's Iven Kincheloe set a record altitude of 126,200 feet in his X-2 plane, becoming known as America's first spaceman. Kincheloe’s career was cut short by a tragic accident, but…
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Sun 07 Sep 2025
Sarah Emma Edmonds' Legacy and Beatlemania in Detroit | September 6
On this day in 1898, Sarah Emma Edmonds, a Civil War veteran who served disguised as a man in the Union Army, passed away. Also, in 1964, Beatlemania hit Detroit's Olympia Stadium with two concerts d…
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Sat 06 Sep 2025
Michigan's 1881 Firestorm and the Mackinac Bridge Walk | September 5
On this day in 1881, a massive firestorm in Michigan's Thumb burned over a million acres, killing at least 282 people. In 1959, the Mackinac Bridge Walk was moved to Labor Day, with Governor G. Menne…
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Fri 05 Sep 2025
The Potawatomi "Trail of Death" and Felix Schlag’s Nickel Legacy | September 4
On this day in 1838, over 850 Potawatomi, including 150 from Michigan, were forced west on the "trail of death," though some in Dowagiac resisted thanks to leader Leopold Pokagon. In 1891, Felix Schl…
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Thu 04 Sep 2025
Treaty of Paris and Isle Royale's American Legacy | September 3
Today in 1783, the U.S. Revolutionary War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by future president John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, among others. Thanks to Franklin's insistence,…
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Wed 03 Sep 2025
Detroit's First Automobile Fatality and a Milestone for Women Pilots | September 2
On this day in 1902, Detroit recorded its first automobile fatality when businessman George W. Bissell was thrown from his horse-drawn carriage after it was startled by a speeding car, leading to his…
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Tue 02 Sep 2025
Celebrating Lily Tomlin | September 1
Born in Detroit on August 31, 1939, Lily Tomlin began her career in stand-up comedy before earning acclaim in film, television, and theater. Known for her Oscar-nominated role in Nashville, her iconi…
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Mon 01 Sep 2025
Michigan's First Newspaper | August 31
Today in 1809, the first and possibly only issue of "The Michigan Essay or The Impartial Observer" was published by Father Gabriel Richard in Detroit. The four-page paper, printed by James M. Miller,…
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Sun 31 Aug 2025
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