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Michigan Minute WKAR's Jamie Paisley presents intriguing stories for each day in Michigan history.From name changes to iconic cities to arcane laws, Michigan Minute covers a wide variety of fascinatingly true tales from the Great Lake State.
Michigan Minute

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Michigan Minute

Michigan Minute

From WKAR Public Media

WKAR's Jamie Paisley presents intriguing stories for each day in Michigan history.From name changes to iconic cities to arcane laws, Michigan Minute covers a wide variety of fascinatingly true tales from the Great Lake State.

Most Recent Episodes

Baseball History & Failed Canal Project | July 19

1909: Neal Ball, a Grand Haven native playing for the Cleveland Naps, made history with MLB's first recorded unassisted triple play and his debut home run in the same game. 1838: Michigan Governor Stevens T. Mason initiated a canal project to connect Mt. Clemens to the Kalamazoo River, aiming to bypass the Great Lakes and the Straits of Mackinac. The ambitious project was abandoned five years later, with only 10% completed.

Historical Lighthouse, Bankruptcy & Kristen Bell's Birthday | July 18

1885: The Harbor Beach Lighthouse commenced operations, guiding ships into the world's largest freshwater harbor, located 60 miles north of the St. Clair River. 2013: Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, marking the largest city in the U.S. to take such action with debts estimated between $18 to $20 billion. 1980: Kristen Bell, known for roles in "Veronica Mars," "The Good Place," and Disney's "Frozen" series, was born in Huntington Woods, Michigan, near Royal Oak and the Detroit Zoo.

Historical Lighthouse, Bankruptcy & Kristen Bell's Birthday | July 18

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Loss of Fred Trost | July 17

2007: Michigan's public television mourned the loss of Fred Trost, a beloved figure known for his passion for hunting and fishing. For decades, Trost hosted "Michigan Outdoors," captivating audiences with his quests for trophy bucks and big catches across the state. Despite controversies, including his departure from the show due to an investigative series, Trost continued to share his expertise through "Practical Sportsman" on PBS until 2005. His legacy endures as a dedicated guide to Michigan's wilderness and outdoor enthusiasts.

British Capture of Mackinac Island | July 16

On this day in 1812, during the War of 1812, the British captured Mackinac Island from the Americans. John Jacob Astor, owner of the American Fur Company, played a pivotal role by alerting British forces at Fort St. Joseph of the outbreak of war, inadvertently aiding in the swift British takeover of Fort Mackinac. This event marked the beginning of British control over Michigan's peninsulas, which would later revert to American sovereignty.

Michigan Legal Milestones | July 15

1929: Attorney General Wilbur M. Brucker ruled that Livingston County lacked authority to prohibit women in suits from riding in cars, affirming state highway commission control over highways. 1975: Attorney General Frank Kelley's ruling marked a symbolic step for Michigan women by affirming that marriage did not necessitate a woman adopting her husband's last name. 1940: Robert Pershing Wadlow, then the world's tallest man at 8 feet 11 inches, passed away in Manistee, Michigan, due to complications from leg braces. His funeral drew over 40,000 attendees, with a half-ton coffin carried by 12 pallbearers.

Gerald Ford's Birthday | July 14

Born on this day in 1913, Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977. He also held the position of the 40th Vice President, appointed under the 25th Amendment following Spiro Agnew's resignation. Ford assumed the presidency after Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974, making him the only U.S. President never elected to the presidency or vice presidency by the Electoral College. Before his vice presidency, Ford represented Michigan's 5th congressional district for nearly 25 years, including eight years as the Republican Minority Leader.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 | July 13

Enacted on this day in 1787, the Northwest Ordinance was a pivotal piece of legislation in U.S. history. It established the governance and path to statehood for territories including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Ordinance set requirements for territorial progression to statehood, ensuring basic rights like trial by jury and freedom of religion, while also prohibiting slavery (though enforcement varied).

Jordyn Wieber & Women in the National Guard | July 12

Born in DeWitt, Michigan in 1995, Jordyn Wieber celebrated her birthday today. As part of the Fierce Five, she won gold in gymnastics at the 2012 London Olympics. Wieber later courageously spoke out against abuse by USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, contributing to the team receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 2018. Also on this day in 1974, the Michigan National Guard welcomed its first female members, with four women from Flint joining in a historic move.

Michigan's Conservation & Colonial Legacy | July 11

1974: Michigan Governor William Milliken signed the Endangered Species Act, facilitating the recovery of species like the osprey, peregrine falcon, gray wolf, and bald eagle. 1796: Colonel John Francis Hamtramck oversaw the peaceful transfer of Fort Detroit from British to American control, solidifying American authority in the Michigan Territory after the Revolutionary War.

Jacob Merritt Howard's Legacy in American Law | July 10

Jacob Merritt Howard, born in 1805, made significant contributions to American constitutional law, despite being less well-known than some Founding Fathers. He played a pivotal role in drafting and passing the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution. Howard's early involvement in the Toledo War, a boundary dispute, preceded his tenure in the Michigan legislature and later election to Congress in 1840. As a U.S. Senator from 1861, Howard collaborated closely with President Lincoln on the abolition of chattel slavery through the 13th Amendment.

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