Michigan Minute

WKAR Public Media
  • 5.0 (2)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED DAILY

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?

  1. OCT 4

    Buster Keaton & Charlton Heston's Michigan Roots | October 4

    Born today in 1894, Buster Keaton, famed silent film star, has ties to Muskegon through the Bluffton Actor’s Colony. Meanwhile, Oscar-winner Charlton Heston, born in 1923, spent much of his childhood in St. Helen, Michigan, acting out scenes from his favorite books in the northern woods.

    1 min

  2. SEP 4

    The Potawatomi "Trail of Death" and Felix Schlag’s Nickel Legacy | September 4

    On this day in 1838, over 850 Potawatomi, including 150 from Michigan, were forced west on the "trail of death," though some in Dowagiac resisted thanks to leader Leopold Pokagon. In 1891, Felix Schlag, the designer of the U.S. nickel used from 1938 to 2004, was born. His initials, FS, appear under Jefferson’s bust on nickels from 1966 onward. Schlag spent his final years in Owosso, Michigan.

    1 min

  3. AUG 13

    James Monroe’s Visit & The Palace’s Grand Opening | August 13

    Today in 1817, President James Monroe visited Detroit as part of his tour inspecting US forts post-War of 1812, and also visited Monroe, Michigan, named in his honor. On the same day in 1988, The Palace at Auburn Hills opened with a Sting concert. The venue served various sports teams and events until its demolition in July 2020.

    1 min

  4. AUG 12

    Commissioning of the U.S.S. Wolverine & Its Historic Training Role | August 12

    Today in 1942, the U.S.S. Wolverine, the Great Lakes’ first aircraft carrier, was commissioned in Buffalo, NY. Originally named the Seeandbee, the ship was repurposed by the Navy to train aviators in Lake Michigan. Alongside its sister ship, the Sable, the Wolverine played a crucial role in carrier landing training during World War II.

    1 min

  5. AUG 11

    Detroit's Record Rainfall & First Mechanical Heart Pump | August 11

    Today in 2014, Detroit experienced its heaviest one-day rainfall in nearly 90 years, causing flooding, power outages, and two deaths. In 1971, Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz performed the first American implantation of a mechanical heart pump at Mount Sinai Hospital, marking a significant medical advancement.

    1 min

  6. AUG 10

    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.S. offered Soviet reporters season passes to University of Michigan games to refute the claim.

    1 min

  7. AUG 9

    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 Crown," Anderson grew up in Grand Rapids and attended City Middle-High School. On her graduation night, she broke into the school as a prank but managed to reduce charges to trespassing.

    1 min

  8. AUG 8

    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 killing fish en masse. In 1920, the Detroit Tigers shut out the New York Yankees 1-0 in the shortest game in American League history, lasting just one hour and thirteen minutes. Today also marks the birthday of Jim Blanchard, born in Detroit in 1942, who served as a two-term Michigan governor and later ambassador to Canada.

    1 min
See All (289)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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?

Information

  • Creator
    WKAR Public Media
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    289
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Michigan Minute