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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

Fishing Agreement Reached, Shortest American League...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/08/08

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

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1:00

Grand River Avenue Opens & National Lighthouse Day...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/08/07

Today in 1926, Grand River Avenue, or Historic US-16, opened in Michigan, becoming the first paved road to stretch completely across the state. Connecting Detroit to Muskegon, it served as a primary highway for nearly four decades. Today is also National Lighthouse Day. Michigan boasts around 115 lighthouses, the most of any U.S. state. Built between 1818 and 1822, these lighthouses guided ships safely through the Great Lakes.

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1:00

Detroit Restaurateur Convicted as Nazi Spy | August 6

Michigan Minute ·

2025/08/06

Today in 1942, Detroit restaurant owner Max Stephan was convicted of treason and sentenced to death for being a Nazi spy. A member of the local German immigrant community, Stephan was turned in by his peers, making the case a national sensation. It was only the second time in U.S. history someone was sentenced to death for treason, the first being during the Whiskey Rebellion. Hours before his execution, President Franklin D. Roosevelt commuted Stephan's sentence to life in prison, where he died of

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1:00

Stevie Wonder Signs Historic Contract | August 5

Michigan Minute ·

2025/08/05

Today in 1975, Stevie Wonder signed a groundbreaking contract with Motown worth $37 million for seven albums over seven years. Initially, Wonder considered retiring and moving to Ghana to focus on humanitarian work. However, a change of heart, soul, and contract terms led him back to the music industry. After announcing his plans for a final tour in March 1975, the public and record labels clamored to retain his talents, ultimately giving him unprecedented artistic control.

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1:00

Michigan’s First Telephone Rings | August 4

Michigan Minute ·

2025/08/04

Today in 1877, the first telephone in Michigan rang, owned by the Grand Rapids Plaster Company, a friend of Alexander Graham Bell. Bell sent him a pair of the new devices for a public demonstration. The Bell Telephone Company had incorporated just a month earlier. Despite early design problems, the public quickly embraced the new technology. Within a month, the first commercial telephone line in Michigan connected a Detroit drug store to its lab. By October, Detroit police stations were linked by

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1:00

The Treaty of Greenville & Bois Blanc Island | August 3

Michigan Minute ·

2025/08/03

Today in 1795, Chippewa Chief Matchekewis ceded Bois Blanc Island to the U.S. as part of the Treaty of Greenville, calling it "an extra and voluntary gift of the Chippewa nation." Following the Battle of Fallen Timbers, indigenous people ceded most of Ohio, part of Indiana, sixteen strategic sites on Michigan waterways, and Mackinac Island. In return, they were promised goods worth around $20,000. Over time, the island's pronunciation shifted to Bois Blanc, but locals still call it "Bob-lo." The

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1:00

Michigan's Car Ferry Debut & A Historic Olympic Win |...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/08/02

Today in 1923, the first car ferry service began across the Straits of Mackinac, with the wooden ferry Ariel carrying three cars on its inaugural voyage. The service operated until the Mackinac Bridge opened in 1957. Also today in 1932, Eddie Tolan, a Black American sprinter from Detroit, became the first non-European to be named “The World’s Fastest Human” by winning gold in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

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1:00

Detroit's Historic Bowling Alley & Trailblazing...

Michigan Minute ·

2025/08/01

In 1913, John Bauer and Irv Giese opened The Garden Bowl, a 10-lane bowling alley on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. It has become America's oldest continuously operating bowling alley and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. Also today, Michigan-born Harriet Quimby, who became the first American woman to receive a pilot’s license and the first woman to fly across the English Channel, is celebrated for her pioneering achievements in aviation.

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1:00

GM Hits NYSE & Treaty with Ottawa, Chippewa| July 31

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/31

On this day in 1911, GM became the first auto stock on the NYSE. And in 1855, a treaty with the Ottawa and Chippewa set land reserves and pensions, led by Andrew Blackbird.

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1:00

Hoffa Vanishes & Charter Schools Approved| July 30

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/30

On this day in 1975, Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, sparking decades of mystery. And in 1997, Michigan's Supreme Court cleared the way for charter schools statewide.

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1:00

GM Buys Cadillac & Ford’s Failed Start| July 29

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/29

On this day in 1909, GM bought Cadillac for $4.5 million. Born from Henry Ford’s failed company, Cadillac soon became a cornerstone of GM’s growing auto empire.

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1:00

Detroit Riot Ends & Change Begins| July 28

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/28

On this day in 1967, the Detroit riot ended after five days of violence, leaving 43 dead. It sparked major political change, paving the way for leaders like Coleman Young and Erma Henderson.

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1:00

Morality Laws & Michigan’s First Quake Shakes| July 27

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/27

On this day in 1818, Detroit passed a morality law allowing public whippings. In 1934, Michigan issued its first old-age pension checks. And in 1980, an earthquake shook the state.

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1:00

Lorna Gray’s Debut & Grand Rapids Log Jam| July 26

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/26

On this day in 1917, actress Lorna Gray was born in Grand Rapids. And in 1883, a massive log jam on the Grand River damaged train bridges in the heart of the city.

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1:00

Busing Ruling & Michigan’s First Ombudsman| July 25

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/25

On this day in 1974, the Supreme Court sided with Gov. Milliken on Detroit’s busing case, fueling white flight. And in 1966, Michigan named its first state ombudsman.

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1:00

Hydropower Launch & Krone’s Racing Firsts| July 24

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/24

On this day in 1880, the world’s first hydroelectric plant began in Grand Rapids. And in 1963, trailblazing jockey Julie Krone was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

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1:00

Detroit Riot Erupts & National Guard Called In| July 23

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/23

On this day in 1967, a police raid sparked the Detroit riot—one of the deadliest in U.S. history. Lasting 8 days, it led to 43 deaths, 7,000 arrests, and a national investigation.

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1:00

Detroit’s Recall & Scouts at Crystal Lake| July 22

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/22

On this day in 1930, Detroit Mayor Charles Bowles was recalled over corruption and KKK ties. And in 1911, the first Boy Scouts arrived at Camp Owasippe near Sleeping Bear Dunes.

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1:00

Robin Williams’ Roots & Bloomfield Hills| July 21

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/21

On this day in 1951, Robin Williams was born. Before becoming an Oscar-winning actor, he spent his teen years in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, excelling in school and sports.

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1:00

Hunter Orange Law & Helen Thomas’ Legacy| July 20

Michigan Minute ·

2025/07/20

On this day in 1977, Michigan required hunters to wear fluorescent orange. And in 2013, trailblazing journalist Helen Thomas, a Wayne State alum, passed away at age 92.

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