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
First European Ship in Michigan & Soviet Propaganda | August 10
Today in 1697, the European ship Le Griffon docked in Michigan, only to sink in Lake Michigan shortly after. In 1950, Soviet radio claimed Michigan football players were regularly injured, but the U.…
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Sun 10 Aug 2025
Claressa Shields' Olympic Gold and Gillian Anderson's Birthday | August 9
In 2012, Flint native Claressa Shields won gold in the first women's middleweight boxing event at the London Olympics. Today is also Gillian Anderson's birthday. Known for "The X-Files" and "The Crow…
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Sat 09 Aug 2025
Fishing Agreement Reached, Shortest American League Game & Jim Blanchard's Birthday | August 8
Today in 2000, after 27 years of litigation, an agreement was made between Michigan, the US Government, and various indigenous tribes regarding fishing restrictions, particularly nets that were killi…
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Fri 08 Aug 2025
Grand River Avenue Opens & National Lighthouse Day Celebrated | August 7
Today in 1926, Grand River Avenue, or Historic US-16, opened in Michigan, becoming the first paved road to stretch completely across the state. Connecting Detroit to Muskegon, it served as a primary …
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Thu 07 Aug 2025
Detroit Restaurateur Convicted as Nazi Spy | August 6
Today in 1942, Detroit restaurant owner Max Stephan was convicted of treason and sentenced to death for being a Nazi spy. A member of the local German immigrant community, Stephan was turned in by hi…
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Wed 06 Aug 2025
Stevie Wonder Signs Historic Contract | August 5
Today in 1975, Stevie Wonder signed a groundbreaking contract with Motown worth $37 million for seven albums over seven years. Initially, Wonder considered retiring and moving to Ghana to focus on hu…
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Tue 05 Aug 2025
Michigan’s First Telephone Rings | August 4
Today in 1877, the first telephone in Michigan rang, owned by the Grand Rapids Plaster Company, a friend of Alexander Graham Bell. Bell sent him a pair of the new devices for a public demonstration. …
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Mon 04 Aug 2025
The Treaty of Greenville & Bois Blanc Island | August 3
Today in 1795, Chippewa Chief Matchekewis ceded Bois Blanc Island to the U.S. as part of the Treaty of Greenville, calling it "an extra and voluntary gift of the Chippewa nation." Following the Battl…
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Sun 03 Aug 2025
Michigan's Car Ferry Debut & A Historic Olympic Win | August 2
Today in 1923, the first car ferry service began across the Straits of Mackinac, with the wooden ferry Ariel carrying three cars on its inaugural voyage. The service operated until the Mackinac Bridg…
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Sat 02 Aug 2025
Detroit's Historic Bowling Alley & Trailblazing Aviator | August 1
In 1913, John Bauer and Irv Giese opened The Garden Bowl, a 10-lane bowling alley on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. It has become America's oldest continuously operating bowling alley and was listed on …
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Fri 01 Aug 2025
GM Hits NYSE & Treaty with Ottawa, Chippewa| July 31
On this day in 1911, GM became the first auto stock on the NYSE. And in 1855, a treaty with the Ottawa and Chippewa set land reserves and pensions, led by Andrew Blackbird.
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Thu 31 Jul 2025
Hoffa Vanishes & Charter Schools Approved| July 30
On this day in 1975, Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, sparking decades of mystery. And in 1997, Michigan's Supreme Court cleared the way for charter schools statewide.
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Wed 30 Jul 2025
GM Buys Cadillac & Ford’s Failed Start| July 29
On this day in 1909, GM bought Cadillac for $4.5 million. Born from Henry Ford’s failed company, Cadillac soon became a cornerstone of GM’s growing auto empire.
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Tue 29 Jul 2025
Detroit Riot Ends & Change Begins| July 28
On this day in 1967, the Detroit riot ended after five days of violence, leaving 43 dead. It sparked major political change, paving the way for leaders like Coleman Young and Erma Henderson.
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Mon 28 Jul 2025
Morality Laws & Michigan’s First Quake Shakes| July 27
On this day in 1818, Detroit passed a morality law allowing public whippings. In 1934, Michigan issued its first old-age pension checks. And in 1980, an earthquake shook the state.
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Sun 27 Jul 2025
Lorna Gray’s Debut & Grand Rapids Log Jam| July 26
On this day in 1917, actress Lorna Gray was born in Grand Rapids. And in 1883, a massive log jam on the Grand River damaged train bridges in the heart of the city.
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Sat 26 Jul 2025
Busing Ruling & Michigan’s First Ombudsman| July 25
On this day in 1974, the Supreme Court sided with Gov. Milliken on Detroit’s busing case, fueling white flight. And in 1966, Michigan named its first state ombudsman.
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Fri 25 Jul 2025
Hydropower Launch & Krone’s Racing Firsts| July 24
On this day in 1880, the world’s first hydroelectric plant began in Grand Rapids. And in 1963, trailblazing jockey Julie Krone was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
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Thu 24 Jul 2025
Detroit Riot Erupts & National Guard Called In| July 23
On this day in 1967, a police raid sparked the Detroit riot—one of the deadliest in U.S. history. Lasting 8 days, it led to 43 deaths, 7,000 arrests, and a national investigation.
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Wed 23 Jul 2025
Detroit’s Recall & Scouts at Crystal Lake| July 22
On this day in 1930, Detroit Mayor Charles Bowles was recalled over corruption and KKK ties. And in 1911, the first Boy Scouts arrived at Camp Owasippe near Sleeping Bear Dunes.
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Tue 22 Jul 2025
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