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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?

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All Episodes

1:00

The Heroine of Niagara | October 24

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/24

On this day in 1901, Annie Edson Taylor, a widowed schoolteacher from Bay City, Michigan, made history by becoming the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel on her 63rd birthday. Desperate for work, she hoped the stunt would lead to speaking engagements, but it didn’t pan out as planned. Despite facing many challenges, including a manager who stole her barrel, she remains forever known as the "Heroine of Niagara."

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Ballooning Heights and Legal Milestones | October 23

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/23

On this day in 1934, Jean and Jeanette Piccard launched a balloon from Dearborn, Michigan, reaching 10.9 miles in altitude before landing in Ohio, accompanied by Jean’s pet turtle, Fleur de Lys. Additionally, in 2001, Margaret Chiara was unanimously confirmed as Michigan’s first female U.S. Attorney, serving the Western District until her removal in 2007, later commenting on the political nature of her dismissal.

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Harry Callahan & Michigan State's Historic Marker |...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/22

On this day in 1912, Detroit-born photographer Harry Callahan was born. Initially working for Chrysler, he shifted to photography after hearing Ansel Adams speak, later earning the National Medal of Arts in 1996. Also, in 1955, Michigan's first official historic marker was dedicated at Michigan State University, honoring its founding as the nation’s first state-supported agricultural college, as outlined in the Morrill Act of 1862.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes & Will Carleton | October 21

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/21

On this day in 1977, the stunning Sleeping Bear Dunes, inspired by a Chippewa legend of a mother bear and her cubs, officially became a National Lakeshore. Additionally, 1847 marks the birth of Will Carleton in Lenawee County, known as 'The Bard of Michigan.' His most famous poem, "Over the Hill to the Poor House," explores themes of aging and family.

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1:00

Milo Radulovich and the Red Scare | October 20

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/20

In the 1950s, 26-year-old WWII veteran Milo Radulovich, a meteorology student at the University of Michigan, was dismissed from the Army Reserves as a security risk due to his family's background. Edward Murrow featured his story in a broadcast on October 20, highlighting the persecution amid McCarthy's witch hunts. The public response was overwhelmingly supportive, leading to Radulovich being cleared of all charges five weeks later.

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1:00

Kalamazoo Votes for Education and Political Reform |...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/19

On this day in 1903, Kalamazoo voters approved funding for the Western State Normal School, later Western Michigan University, with an impressive 8-to-1 margin. In 1907, Governor Fred Warner pushed for public voting in primaries, overcoming resistance within his party. His victory reshaped the political landscape, leading to his third term as governor.

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Celebrating Philately and Willie Horton | October 18

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/18

On this day in 1978, the USPS released one of two Christmas stamps in Holly, Michigan, a treat for stamp collectors. Additionally, we celebrate the birthday of Willie Horton, born in 1942. A beloved figure in Detroit, Horton played 14 seasons with the Tigers and worked for peace during the 1967 rebellion. In 2004, Michigan established Willie Horton Day in his honor.

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Celebrating Queen Naija | October 17

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/17

Happy birthday to Queen Naija, born in Ypsilanti in 1995! A singer and YouTuber, she gained fame as a contestant on the 13th season of American Idol. After self-releasing her hit "Medicine" in 2017, she signed with Capitol Records. Her debut album, Missunderstood, released in 2020, debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, with five singles reaching certified platinum.

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A Day of Public Health and Hockey History | October 16

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/16

On this day in 1918, amid the Spanish influenza outbreak, U-of-M students in Ann Arbor received facemasks, while Dr. R. M. Olin upheld a quarantine in East Lansing, prioritizing public health. Meanwhile, in 1946, Gordie Howe, later known as "Mr. Hockey," made his NHL debut at Olympia Stadium, scoring his first goal and marking the beginning of a legendary career.

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The Burt Lake Burnout | October 15

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/15

On this day in 1900, a dark chapter unfolded for the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa indigenous peoples in Michigan. After years of treaties with the federal government, a land developer illegally claimed their 375 acres, using fabricated back taxes as a pretext. With the help of local law enforcement, the developer forcibly relocated the community, burning their homes. The only surviving structure was St. Mary's Catholic Mission Church, which later became a pig barn, symbolizing the

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1:00

Celebrating Dave DeBusschere | October 14

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/14

Born today in 1940 in Detroit, Dave DeBusschere was a dual-sport athlete who played both Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox and basketball for the Detroit Pistons in 1962. He chose basketball, becoming a coach-player and later joining the New York Knicks, where he played a key role in the NBA-ABA merger in the 1970s. After his passing in 2003, the University of Detroit Mercy honored him with a scholarship for student athletes exemplifying leadership.

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Remembering Douglass Houghton | October 13

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/13

On this day in 1845, Douglass Houghton, Michigan's state geologist, drowned in Lake Superior. He mapped much of the state and is honored with the namesake of Michigan's tallest waterfall, as well as the city, county, and lake of Houghton. A former mayor of Detroit, he lobbied for federal funding to study the territory's mineral wealth. Tragically, his boat capsized during an exploration, leading to his untimely death near Eagle River.

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The Birth of Gumby | October 12

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/13

On this day in 1921, Art Clokey was born in Detroit. While his name may not be widely recognized, his creation, Gumby, is iconic. Clokey spent his childhood playing with mud, which his family called "gumbo," and after losing his father in a car crash at eight, he drew inspiration from a photo of his dad's unique hairstyle for Gumby's shape. Gumby first appeared in the mid-1950s on the Howdy Doody show before starring in his own successful series that remained beloved for decades.

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1:00

Numbers on Jerseys and Trailblazing Troopers |...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/13

On this day in 1910, an op-ed in the Michigan Daily called for University of Michigan football players to wear numbers on their jerseys, but coach Fielding H. Yost opposed it, fearing it would hinder teamwork. It wasn’t until 1916 that players finally got numbers. Additionally, in 1974, Sandra Thompson was sworn in as Michigan's first Black female trooper, later becoming the first Black woman sergeant in the state before retiring in 1999 after 25 years of service.

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Tigers' Triumphs and Voice Legends | October 10

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/10

On this day, the Detroit Tigers celebrated two World Series victories: their second title in 1945 against the Chicago Cubs and their third in 1968 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Also born today in 1954 was voice-over artist Rob Paulsen from Grand Blanc, known for his iconic roles in Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain, including the popular "Nations of the World" song.

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Celebrating Change: From Carriages to Carriers |...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/09

On this date in 2013, the newest U.S. Navy aircraft carrier was named after Michigan's only president, Gerald R. Ford, with notable attendees like Senator Carl Levin and Susan Ford Bales. Additionally, in 1895, Detroit witnessed the last trip of a horse-drawn car before the arrival of electric public transit, marked by a crowd that celebrated its end with a bit of chaos.

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1:00

Martha Strickland Clark Makes Legal History & KISS...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/09

On this day in 1888, Martha Strickland Clark became the first woman to argue before the Michigan Supreme Court, winning a landmark divorce case in Thompson v. Thomson. She went on to be inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2006. In 1975, KISS brought their rock spectacle to Cadillac, Michigan, performing at the high school’s Homecoming after hearing how their music motivated the football team. The glam rock band even joined the city parade before rocking the gymnasium for the

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Fires Ravage Michigan & FBI Foils Kidnapping Plot |...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/08

On this day in 1871, fires broke out across Michigan, devastating areas from Holland to Manistee and the Thumb region, claiming over 50 lives. In 2020, the FBI shocked the nation by announcing the arrest of militia members plotting to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer. As US Attorney Matthew Schneider stated, "Disagreements should never amount to violence."

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Thunder Bay's Marine Sanctuary & DIA's Grand Opening...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/07

Known as "Shipwreck Alley," Thunder Bay near Alpena, Michigan, was designated a National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve today in 2000. In 1927, after five years of construction, the Detroit Institute of Arts opened its doors, marking Detroit as a hub of culture and progress.

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1:00

Pictured Rocks' Designation & Early Gay Rights Bill |...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/10/06

On this day in 1972, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore became the first of its kind, showcasing 73,000 acres of stunning natural beauty in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In 1983, Michigan House Republican James Dressel introduced the state’s first bill to protect sexual orientation under civil rights law, a bold move that ultimately cost him his seat.

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