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
Red Wings Farewell and Hughie Cannon's Birth | Apr 9
On this day in 2017, the Red Wings closed out their 38-year residency at Joe Louis Arena with a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Fans celebrated by hurling 35 octopuses on the ice. Also, in 18…
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Wed 09 Apr 2025
Lansing Board Endorses Community College | Apr 8
On this day in 1957, the Lansing Board of Education endorsed the establishment of Lansing Community College. The first class was a math refresher course with 32 students, and the opening semester saw…
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Tue 08 Apr 2025
Henry Ford's Passing at Fair Lane | Apr 7
On this day in 1947, Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company, died at his residence in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford's innovations, including the Model T and the assembly line, revolutionized the au…
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Mon 07 Apr 2025
Medal of Honor for George Sidman | Apr 6
On this day in 1862, Private George Sidman, a drummer boy from Owosso, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism on a Civil War battlefield. At 16, Sidman fought off the enemy and carried…
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Sun 06 Apr 2025
Flint Flood & Battle of Manton | Apr 5
On this day in 1947, Flint experienced one of its worst disasters as rising waters caused severe flooding, sweeping furniture and appliances into the river. The flood caused $10 million in damages, e…
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Sat 05 Apr 2025
Nannette Gardner Votes | Apr 4
On this day in 1871, Nannette Gardner became the first Michigan woman to vote in a general election. As a wealthy widow, she convinced Detroit City Officials to allow her to vote since she had no hus…
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Fri 04 Apr 2025
Isle Royale's Wildlife & Shipwrecks | Apr 3
On this day in 1940, Isle Royale was established as a national park. It consists of one large island and over 200 smaller islands in Lake Superior, accessible only by boat or float plane. The park's …
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Thu 03 Apr 2025
MSU Name Change & Giant Fungus Discovery | Apr 2
On this day in 1954, Michigan State University got its name. The Detroit Free Press reported that Michigan Attorney General Thomas Kavanagh ruled there was no constitutional provision prohibiting Mic…
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Wed 02 Apr 2025
Lansing Ice Floe Disaster | Apr 1
On this day in 1875, a massive ice floe collapsed five bridges in Lansing, starting with the newly constructed Mineral Wells Bridge. In 1963, Michiganders narrowly approved the state’s new constituti…
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Tue 01 Apr 2025
Birth of Referee Stripes | Mar 31
On this day in 1921, Michigan sports official Lloyd W. Olds introduced the striped referee shirt to avoid confusion during games. The idea came after a mix-up in a 1920 football game. Olds' innovatio…
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Mon 31 Mar 2025
U-M's First Kidney Transplant & Legacy | Mar 30
On this day in 1966, Michigan's first kidney transplant was performed at the University of Michigan, saving 15-year-old Janice Ottenbacher with an organ from her twin sister Joan. Both twins lived lo…
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Sun 30 Mar 2025
Pacification Ball & Robert Mahoney's Legacy | Mar 29
On this day in 1815, Detroiters and Canadians celebrated the end of the War of 1812 with the Pacification Ball, mending fences and hoping to leave the previous year's famine behind. In 2017, Michigan…
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Sat 29 Mar 2025
MSU's 1979 Parade of Champions | Mar 28
On this day in 1979, MSU Superfan Duane Vernon and broadcaster Tim Staudt planned a parade with coach Jud Heathcote. Instead of celebrating a Final Four appearance, they celebrated the Spartans' vict…
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Fri 28 Mar 2025
First Women Graduates & Michigan's Suffrage Support | Mar 27
On this day in 1871, Amanda Sanford and Sarah Killgore became the first women to graduate from the University of Michigan. Additionally, in 1912, the Michigan Senate voted to support the 19th amendme…
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Thu 27 Mar 2025
Diana Ross's Supremes' Success | Mar 26
On this day in 1944, Diana Ross was born in Detroit. She rose to fame as the leader of The Supremes, one of Motown's most successful groups. Ross launched a successful solo career in 1970 and was nam…
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Wed 26 Mar 2025
Aretha Franklin's Musical Legacy | Mar 25
On this day in 1942, Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, was born in Memphis. She moved to Detroit, began singing at New Bethel Baptist Church, and later recorded hits like "Respect" and "Think." In …
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Tue 25 Mar 2025
Dr. Hanna-Attisha's Flint Impact & Time Nomination | Mar 24
On this day in 2016, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha was nominated for Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people for exposing the Flint Water Crisis. She tested Flint children's blood for lead, founded the …
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Mon 24 Mar 2025
Nain Rouge Parade & Cadillac's Curse | Mar 23
On this day in 1710, Detroit held its first Nain Rouge parade to banish the mythical Red Dwarf and his curse. According to legend, Detroit's founder Antoine Cadillac encountered the Nain Rouge, leadi…
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Sun 23 Mar 2025
Comedian Keegan-Michael Key | Mar 22
On this day in 1971, actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key was born in Southfield, Michigan. He later co-created the influential sketch comedy series "Key & Peele" with Jordan Peele, and famously app…
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Sat 22 Mar 2025
Rivera's Murals & S.S. Badger's Launch | Mar 21
On this day in 1933, Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry Murals were unveiled at the Detroit Institute of Arts. In 1953, the S.S. Badger ferry began its voyages across Lake Michigan, connecting Wisconsin…
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Fri 21 Mar 2025
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