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
Olds' Export & Michigan's State Song| May 21
On this day in 1892, Ransom E. Olds sold the first American car for export. His steam-powered car, featured in Scientific American, was bought by a company in London, making it the first American car…
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Wed 21 May 2025
Lindbergh's Flight & MSU Student Strike| May 20
On this day in 1927, Detroit native Charles Lindbergh completed the first nonstop solo transatlantic flight, leaving Long Island’s Roosevelt Field and landing in Paris 33.5 hours later, becoming an i…
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Tue 20 May 2025
Buick's Incorporation & Quadruplets' Birth| May 19
On this day in 1903, Buick, now a division of GM, was incorporated in Detroit. David Dunbar Buick and Walter L. Marr built the first automobile to be called a Buick just before the turn of the centur…
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Mon 19 May 2025
Michigan's Death Penalty Ban & Tulip Time | May 18
On this day in 1846, Michigan outlawed the death penalty, becoming the first government in the English-speaking world to do so. Capital punishment was later banned in Michigan’s state constitution in…
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Sun 18 May 2025
Douglass' Visit & Yooper Gold| May 17
On this day in 1866, Frederick Douglass visited Ypsilanti, Michigan, a hub of the Underground Railroad with a sizable Black community. He spoke about Lincoln’s assassination and shared anecdotes from…
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Sat 17 May 2025
Top Gun's Debut & Jordan's Medal| May 16
On this day in 1986, Top Gun opened and became a smash hit. Written by Michigan State professor Jim Cash and his former student Jack Epps Jr., the film was a product of their remote collaboration. An…
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Fri 16 May 2025
MSU's Founding & Sophie Kurys' Legacy| May 14
On this day in 1857, Michigan Agricultural College held its first classes. Established by the Michigan Legislature two years earlier, the college initially offered only agricultural studies. Enrollme…
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Wed 14 May 2025
Stevie Wonder's Birth & Motown Legacy| May 13
On this day in 1950, Stevie Wonder, the legendary musician and Motown icon, was born in Saginaw, Michigan. From his chart-topping debut at age 13 to winning 25 Grammy Awards, Stevie has left an indel…
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Tue 13 May 2025
Detroit Streetcar Workers Unionize, Riot, & Win| May 12
On this day in 1891, Detroit’s streetcar employees unionized. Starting in April, local transit workers picketed the Detroit Street Railway and Grand River Railway companies, leading to a violent 3-da…
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Mon 12 May 2025
Brewer's Brigadier Promotion & Quimby's Birth| May 11
On this day in 1978, Margaret Brewer, a native of Durand, became the Marine Corps’ first woman brigadier general. Inspired by the Iwo Jima flag raisers, she joined the Marines after graduating from t…
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Sun 11 May 2025
Eliza Leggett's Underground Railroad & Suffrage| May 9
On this day in 1815, Eliza Seaman Leggett, a key member of the Underground Railroad, was born. Her Michigan home welcomed many enslaved people and notable abolitionists. A fighter for women's suffrag…
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Fri 09 May 2025
Mike & Marian Ilitch's Pizza Empire| May 8
On this day in 1959, Mike and Marian Ilitch opened their first Little Caesars restaurant in Garden City, Michigan. Mike, a former Detroit Tigers farm team shortstop, turned to pizza after an injury. …
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Thu 08 May 2025
Sophie Lyons' Life of Crime & Reform| May 7
On this day in 1924, Sophie Lyons, a famous rogue turned reformer, died in Detroit. Known as one of the country's most notorious thieves, she later dedicated her life to juvenile delinquent rehabilit…
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Wed 07 May 2025
Daniel Gerber's Birth & Gerber Baby Food | May 6
On this day in 1898, Daniel Frank Gerber, the creator of Gerber Baby food, was born in Fremont, Michigan. His wife Dorothy suggested making and selling baby foods at their canning company, leading to…
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Tue 06 May 2025
Booker T. Washington's Speech & Free Press| May 5
On this day in 1903, civil rights pioneer Booker T. Washington addressed an enthusiastic audience in Detroit, advocating for unity and greatness. And in 1831, Michigan's oldest continuously published…
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Mon 05 May 2025
Ernestine Rose's Speech & Harwell's Legacy | May 4
On this day in 1846, the first woman to address the Michigan legislature, Ernestine Rose, spoke about women's suffrage. And in 2010, Detroit Tigers' beloved broadcaster Ernie Harwell passed away, lea…
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Sun 04 May 2025
Alpena's Placoderm Fossil & Sugar Ray's Birth | May 3
On this day in 2017: A rare fossil of a Placoderm, an armor-plated fish, was found in Alpena, Michigan, exciting paleontologists at the University of Michigan. On this day in 1921: Walker Smith Jr., …
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Sat 03 May 2025
LBJ's Great Society Speech & McCoy's Invention | May 2
On this day in 1964: At Michigan Stadium, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced his plans for "The Great Society" during the University of Michigan’s commencement. This included Medicare, Medicaid, a…
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Fri 02 May 2025
Ford's 40-Hour Workweek Adoption | May 1
On this day in 1926: The Ford Motor Company became one of the first in America to adopt a five-day, 40-hour workweek for automotive factory workers. This decision, made in 1922, aimed to promote a be…
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Thu 01 May 2025
Jackson's Endurance Walk & Detroit's First Flight | Apr 30
On this day in 1935: During the Great Depression, the Regent Cafe in Jackson, Michigan offered $1,000 for couples to walk as long as they could. Tommy McGeer and Jackie Airgood walked for 88 days to …
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Wed 30 Apr 2025
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