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
Robin Williams’ Roots & Bloomfield Hills| July 21
On this day in 1951, Robin Williams was born. Before becoming an Oscar-winning actor, he spent his teen years in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, excelling in school and sports.
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Mon 21 Jul 2025
Hunter Orange Law & Helen Thomas’ Legacy| July 20
On this day in 1977, Michigan required hunters to wear fluorescent orange. And in 2013, trailblazing journalist Helen Thomas, a Wayne State alum, passed away at age 92.
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Sun 20 Jul 2025
Triple Play History & Michigan’s Lost Canal| July 19
On this day in 1909, Michigander Neal Ball made MLB’s first unassisted triple play. And in 1838, a massive canal project began—only to be abandoned years later.
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Sat 19 Jul 2025
Detroit’s Bankruptcy & Harbor Beach Light| July 18
On this day in 1885, Harbor Beach Lighthouse began service. In 2013, Detroit filed for bankruptcy. And in 1980, actress Kristen Bell was born in Huntington Woods.
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Fri 18 Jul 2025
Fred Trost’s Legacy & Michigan Outdoors| July 17
On this day in 2007, Michigan lost beloved outdoorsman Fred Trost, host of “Michigan Outdoors” and later “Practical Sportsman,” staples of public TV for hunting and fishing fans.
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Thu 17 Jul 2025
Mackinac’s Fall & War of 1812 Begins| July 16
On this day in 1812, British forces captured Fort Mackinac in the first War of 1812 battle on U.S. soil—triggering a swift British takeover of Michigan’s forts.
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Wed 16 Jul 2025
Women’s Rights & World’s Tallest Man| July 15
On this day in 1929 and 1975, Michigan AG rulings advanced women’s rights. And in 1940, the world’s tallest man, Robert Wadlow, died in Manistee at age 22.
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Tue 15 Jul 2025
Ford’s Birthday & Michigan’s President| July 14
On this day in 1913, Gerald R. Ford was born. The only U.S. president never elected to the presidency or vice presidency, he represented Michigan in Congress for 25 years
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Mon 14 Jul 2025
Northwest Ordinance & Michigan’s Path| July 13
On this day in 1787, the Northwest Ordinance was enacted, setting the stage for Michigan and other Midwest states to move from territory to statehood with guaranteed rights.
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Sun 13 Jul 2025
Olympic Gold & Women in the Guard| July 12
On this day in 1995, Olympian Jordyn Wieber was born in DeWitt, Michigan. And in 1974, women were officially allowed to join the Michigan National Guard.
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Sat 12 Jul 2025
Endangered Species & Fort Detroit's Handoff| July 11
On this day in 1974, Michigan enacted its Endangered Species Act. And in 1796, U.S. forces officially took control of Fort Detroit from the British after years of delay.
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Fri 11 Jul 2025
Toledo War Vet & Author of Freedom Amendments| July 10
On this day in 1805, Jacob Merritt Howard was born. A Michigan lawmaker and U.S. senator, he helped draft the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments alongside President Lincoln.
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Thu 10 Jul 2025
Jack White’s Roots & Seven Nation Sound| July 9
On this day in 1975, Jack White was born in Detroit. A key figure in the 2000s garage rock revival, he rose to fame with the White Stripes and later wrote a Bond theme in 2008
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Wed 09 Jul 2025
Olympic Gold & Lansing’s First Firefighter| July 8
On this day in 1924, U-M alum DeHart Hubbard became the first Black American to win Olympic gold. In 1962, Roger Roberts became Lansing’s first Black firefighter.
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Tue 08 Jul 2025
Old Age Aid & Detroit’s First Daily News| July 7
On this day in 1933, Michigan passed the Old Age Assistance Act. And in 1845, the first issue of the Detroit Daily News was published, laying the foundation for today’s Detroit News.
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Mon 07 Jul 2025
Canoe Cussing & Free Speech in Michigan| July 5
On this day in 2002, Michigan’s Court of Appeals struck down a law banning public cursing, ruling it protected speech—thanks to one canoeist’s colorful language.
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Sat 05 Jul 2025
British at Detroit & Grand Rapids’ Balloon| July 4
On this day in 1783, Britain held onto Fort Detroit. In 1859, Grand Rapids saw its first hot air balloon flight, and in 1969, Mackinac Island hosted its first stone skipping contest.
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Fri 04 Jul 2025
Royal Visit & Michigan’s First Librarian| July 3
On this day in 1959, Queen Elizabeth visited Detroit for the first Freedom Festival. In 1828, Henry Schoolcraft became Michigan’s first territorial librarian.
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Thu 03 Jul 2025
Garfield’s Shooting & a U-M Connection | July 2
On this day in 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau—a former U-M student—leading to civil service reform after Garfield’s death.
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Wed 02 Jul 2025
MSU’s Name Change & U-M’s Opposition| July 1
On this day in 1955, Michigan State College officially became Michigan State University after a long push for recognition—and despite resistance from the University of Michigan.
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Tue 01 Jul 2025
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