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PODCAST

Michigan Minute

WKAR Public Media

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?

history

All Episodes

1:00

Detroit's 1943 March & Vernor's Birth | Apr 11

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/11

On this day in 1943, we reflect on the 1943 march in Detroit against Jim Crow laws and celebrate the birth of James Vernor Sr., creator of Vernor's Ginger Ale, born in 1843. Vernor's ginger ale became a beloved Michigan staple with its "Deliciously Different" flavor. This march was particularly significant for those contributing to the war effort at Willow Run Airport.

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Elsa Von Blumen's 1000-Mile Ride in Detroit | Apr 10

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/10

On this day in 1822, Caroline Kiner, aka Elsa Von Blumen, visited Michigan. She was a famous high-wheeled bicyclist, known for her exhibitions on the Penny Farthing. In Detroit, she aimed to ride 1000 miles in six days, inspiring many girls and young women at the start of the suffrage movement.

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1:00

Red Wings Farewell and Hughie Cannon's Birth | Apr 9

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/09

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 1877, ragtime pianist Hughie Cannon was born in Detroit, Michigan, and gained fame in Jackson.

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1:00

Lansing Board Endorses Community College | Apr 8

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/08

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 425 students enrolled in various programs.

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1:00

Henry Ford's Passing at Fair Lane | Apr 7

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/07

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 automotive industry and created jobs for thousands. His funeral saw 5,000 people passing his coffin every hour.

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Medal of Honor for George Sidman | Apr 6

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/06

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 the 3rd Brigade’s new flag in a charge at Fredericksburg, where he was wounded.

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1:00

Flint Flood & Battle of Manton | Apr 5

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/05

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, equivalent to $118 million today. Also, in 1882, Wexford County voted to move the county seat from Manton to Cadillac, leading to the "Battle of Manton" where armed residents tried to retain the county records. Despite injuries, the vote to choose Cadillac was upheld.

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Nannette Gardner Votes | Apr 4

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/04

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 husband to represent her interests. Her story gained fame, and she expressed surprise at the attention, noting that many men vote without comment.

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1:00

Isle Royale's Wildlife & Shipwrecks | Apr 3

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/03

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 isolation and natural beauty provide a habitat for timber wolves and moose. The waters of Isle Royale also contain several well-preserved shipwrecks, thanks to the area's harsh weather and cold, fresh water.

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MSU Name Change & Giant Fungus Discovery | Apr 2

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/02

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 Michigan State College from changing its name to Michigan State University. And on this day in 1992, scientists announced the discovery of one of Earth’s largest and oldest organisms living in Michigan—a giant fungus near Crystal Falls, covering 38 acres and weighing roughly 100 tons.

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Lansing Ice Floe Disaster | Apr 1

Michigan Minute ·

2026/04/01

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 constitution with a 50.2% vote. And in 1972, Ann Arbor held its first Hash Bash, celebrating cannabis after John Sinclair's prison sentence for marijuana possession was overturned.

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1:00

Birth of Referee Stripes | Mar 31

Michigan Minute ·

2026/03/31

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' innovation debuted at the 1921 Michigan State High School basketball championships, and stripes became a referee tradition.

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1:00

U-M's First Kidney Transplant & Legacy | Mar 30

Michigan Minute ·

2026/03/30

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 long, healthy lives. Since then, U-M's Transplant Center has performed over 10,000 transplants, becoming one of the largest programs in the country.

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1:00

Pacification Ball & Robert Mahoney's Legacy | Mar 29

Michigan Minute ·

2026/03/29

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 mourned the loss of Robert Daniel Mahoney, the first blind person elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, who showed the world what differently abled people could achieve.

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MSU's 1979 Parade of Champions | Mar 28

Michigan Minute ·

2026/03/28

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' victory over Indiana State and their NCAA Championship win with a Parade of Champions in downtown Lansing.

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1:00

First Women Graduates & Michigan's Suffrage Support |...

Michigan Minute ·

2026/03/27

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 amendment, advancing women's suffrage.

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1:00

Diana Ross's Supremes' Success | Mar 26

Michigan Minute ·

2026/03/26

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 named Billboard's Female Entertainer of the Century in 1976. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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1:00

Aretha Franklin's Musical Legacy | Mar 25

Michigan Minute ·

2026/03/25

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 1987, she became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After her passing in 2018, she received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize special citation for her contributions to American music and culture.

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1:00

Dr. Hanna-Attisha's Flint Impact & Time Nomination |...

Michigan Minute ·

2026/03/24

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 Flint Child Health and Development Fund, and directs the MSU and Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative.

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Nain Rouge Parade & Cadillac's Curse | Mar 23

Michigan Minute ·

2026/03/23

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, leading to a string of bad luck. The parade became an annual tradition to drive away misfortune from the city.

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774 results

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