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
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.
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Tue 10 Jun 2025
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.
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Mon 09 Jun 2025
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.
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Sun 08 Jun 2025
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.
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Sat 07 Jun 2025
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.
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Fri 06 Jun 2025
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.
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Thu 05 Jun 2025
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.
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Wed 04 Jun 2025
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.
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Tue 03 Jun 2025
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.”
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Mon 02 Jun 2025
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 eagle mascot. And in 1910, the Dodge brot…
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Sun 01 Jun 2025
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 breakfast.
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Sat 31 May 2025
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 thinking and bravery.
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Fri 30 May 2025
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 residents.
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Thu 29 May 2025
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 for women's rights and racial equality.
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Wed 28 May 2025
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 War of 1812, with a bronze marker for his…
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Tue 27 May 2025
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 1967, Kay E. Whitfield of Pontiac and N…
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Mon 26 May 2025
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 successfully infiltrated Confederate lines 11 times…
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Sun 25 May 2025
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 an iconic path. Her modern office designs…
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Sat 24 May 2025
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 gambling. While Los Angeles banned them comple…
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Fri 23 May 2025
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' Stonehenge, features carvings of animals like ma…
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Thu 22 May 2025
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