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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

Milestones in Michigan's Election History | November 2

Michigan Minute ·

2024/11/02

On this date, we recognize key milestones: in 1920, Eva M. Hamilton became the first woman elected to the Michigan Legislature, and in 1954, Charles Diggs was elected as Michigan’s first African-American U.S. Congressman. In 2017, a legislative update officially designated "Michigander" over "Michiganian."

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Michigan's Landmark Anniversaries | November 1

Michigan Minute ·

2024/11/01

Today, we commemorate pivotal moments in Michigan's history: the establishment of the first European outpost by Robert Cavalier de la Salle in 1679, the opening of the current Belle Isle Bridge in Detroit in 1923, and the debut of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957—the largest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere, maintained through tolls and fees.

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Houdini's Final Act | October 31

Michigan Minute ·

2024/10/31

On this day in 1926, legendary magician Harry Houdini passed away at Detroit’s Grace Hospital. After being punched unexpectedly in the stomach while unbraced during a Montreal stop on his tour, Houdini performed in Detroit with a high fever. The blows led to or worsened appendicitis, and Houdini died at age 52 on Halloween. His last words were reportedly, "I'm tired of fighting..."

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From Dogfights to Ducktails | October 30

Michigan Minute ·

2024/10/30

On this day in 1943, University of Michigan football star Tom Harmon survived a dogfight over Japanese-occupied China during WWII, earning the Purple Heart and Silver Star. In 1956, 52 boys at Romeo Community High School were told to trim their Elvis-style sideburns or leave school. All complied after barbers offered free haircuts.

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Road to Success | October 29

Michigan Minute ·

2024/10/29

On this day in 1901, Roy D. Chapin embarked on a challenging journey from Detroit to New York in a Curved Dash Oldsmobile, overcoming multiple mechanical issues to make it to the Auto Show on time. Also today in 1975, Michael Schur, creator of Parks and Recreation and The Good Place, was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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1:00

Firsts in Love and Leadership | October 28

Michigan Minute ·

2024/10/28

On this day in 1912, stunt pilot Art Smith and Aimee Cour made history with the first aerial elopement after crashing their plane en route to Michigan for marriage. In 2013, Matt Wesaw became the first Indigenous Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, having led the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and its gaming authority.

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Upper Peninsula Milestones | October 27

Michigan Minute ·

2024/10/27

On this day in 1992, the Keweenaw National Historic Park was established in Calumet, MI, honoring Michigan's rich mining history. Also, in 1876, after witnessing Alexander Graham Bell’s invention, Linus Stannard founded Michigan’s first independent telephone company in Ontonagon County, connecting Rockland and Greenland with a private line.

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From Jackson to the Erie Canal | October 26

Michigan Minute ·

2024/10/26

On this day in 1975, Paula Faris, journalist and TV personality for ABC News, was born in Jackson, Michigan. Faris co-anchored Good Morning America from 2014 to 2018 and was an Emmy-nominated panelist on The View. Also today in 1825, the Erie Canal officially opened, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. Championed by New York Governor DeWitt Clinton, the canal's construction began in 1817, revolutionizing transportation across the Great Lakes.

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A Day of Firsts in Michigan | October 25

Michigan Minute ·

2024/10/25

On this day in 1918, Lucy A. Sloan, a Michigan scholar, educator, author, and suffragist, passed away in Mt. Pleasant. Sloan was a champion of women's rights and helped found the first literary society for women at Central Michigan University. On this same date in 1889, the first permanent connection between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas was established with an underwater telephone cable at the Straits of Mackinac. Lastly, in 1924, Ty Tyson delivered Detroit’s WWJ’s first play-by-play radio

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The Heroine of Niagara | October 24

Michigan Minute ·

2024/10/24

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 ·

2024/10/23

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 ·

2024/10/22

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 ·

2024/10/21

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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Milo Radulovich and the Red Scare | October 20

Michigan Minute ·

2024/10/20

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 ·

2024/10/19

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 ·

2024/10/18

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 ·

2024/10/17

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 ·

2024/10/16

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 ·

2024/10/15

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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Celebrating Dave DeBusschere | October 14

Michigan Minute ·

2024/10/14

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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