Michigan Minute

Today in 1935, the United Auto Workers (UAW) was officially organized, uniting various autoworker unions under one banner. This led to a series of sit-down strikes, culminating in the 44-day sit-in at Fisher Body Plant No. 1 in Flint. By the mid-1940s, the UAW represented nearly every auto worker in the U.S. and Canada.

Today in 1895, notorious train robber John Smalley was killed in a shootout with deputies near Cadillac, Michigan. Smalley, who had stolen over $1 million and eluded capture for a decade, was shot while attempting to evade arrest after a robbery near Farwell. Despite his criminal career, he was never jailed due to insufficient evidence. The missing loot is rumored to be buried near McBain, Michiga...

Today in 1915, Michigan introduced a bounty of 5 cents per rat to combat rodent infestations, a law that remained in place until its repeal in 2000. In 1969, East Lansing's Victor Jackson made headlines by crossing Lake Michigan to Wisconsin in a bathtub boat made from a bathtub and oil drums, completing the journey in nearly 15 hours.

Today in 1967, The Who performed at Flint's Atwood Stadium on drummer Keith Moon’s 21st birthday. Fans sent 200 cakes to the Holiday Inn, leading to a wild food fight that attracted police. Moon ended up smashing a police officer's face with cake, then crashed a brand-new Lincoln Continental into the hotel's swimming pool.

Today in 1974, professional bodybuilder Iris Kyle was born in Benton Harbor. She is the most successful woman bodybuilder with 10 Ms. Olympia and 7 Ms. International titles and made a pop-culture appearance in Katy Perry's "Swish Swish" video. On the same day in 1892, Detroit began using electric trolley cars, with test trips starting at 7:42 AM and regular service beginning the following day, mar...

Today in 1897, Ransom Eli Olds founded Olds Motors Works, which later became Oldsmobile. After a fire destroyed most of the cars, the surviving model became a sensation at the 1901 New York Auto Show, leading to large-scale production. On the same day in 1964, the Capri Drive-In Theater opened in Coldwater, Michigan, on Route 12. It has since been recognized as one of the top drive-ins in the U.S....

Today in 1920, Detroit began the first commercial radio broadcasting with the test call sign 8MK, later becoming WWJ. It continues to broadcast today. On the same day in 1971, Oscoda, Michigan, claimed Paul Bunyan as their own, noting that the first printed story about the legendary lumberjack came from Oscoda in 1906, although other towns also claim his origin.

Today in 1958, former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder was born in Battle Creek. Snyder, a businessman and lawyer, served as governor from 2011 to 2019 and gained national attention for his role in the Flint water crisis. On the same day in 1899, silent film star Colleen Moore was born in Port Huron. Known for popularizing the bob cut, Moore later became a successful financier and authored “How Women...

Today in 1926, Traverse City's Wallace Keep sent a 46-pound cherry pie to President Calvin Coolidge, showcasing the region’s famous cherries. On the same date in 2016, Helen Maroulis, who moved to Marquette to train at the US Olympic Education Center, became the first US gold medalist in women’s freestyle wrestling at the Rio Olympics.

Today in 2014, Claudia House Morcom, the first Black woman to serve as a Wayne County circuit court judge, passed away. Morcom was a pivotal civil rights advocate, providing legal defense for civil rights workers in Mississippi and challenging discriminatory practices throughout her career.

Today in 1965, George Grady became Michigan's first African-American police chief in Dowagiac, serving for 9 years. Today also marks the birthday of Madonna, born in Bay City, Michigan in 1958, widely celebrated as a pop icon.

Today in 1847, the U.S. Government introduced postage stamps to Michigan, with 5 and 10 cent versions arriving in Detroit. On the same date in 1940, Chrysler began constructing a tank factory in Warren Township, Michigan, contributing to Detroit’s Arsenal of Freedom during WWII. The factory later transitioned to automobile production.

Today in 1959, NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson was born in Lansing, Michigan. In 2014, Bay City honored the song “96 Tears” by Rudy Martinez, aka Question Mark and the Mysterians, recorded in 1966, by declaring it the official Rock & Roll song of the city.

Today in 1817, President James Monroe visited Detroit as part of his tour inspecting US forts post-War of 1812, and also visited Monroe, Michigan, named in his honor. On the same day in 1988, The Palace at Auburn Hills opened with a Sting concert. The venue served various sports teams and events until its demolition in July 2020.

Today in 1942, the U.S.S. Wolverine, the Great Lakes’ first aircraft carrier, was commissioned in Buffalo, NY. Originally named the Seeandbee, the ship was repurposed by the Navy to train aviators in Lake Michigan. Alongside its sister ship, the Sable, the Wolverine played a crucial role in carrier landing training during World War II.

Today in 2014, Detroit experienced its heaviest one-day rainfall in nearly 90 years, causing flooding, power outages, and two deaths. In 1971, Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz performed the first American implantation of a mechanical heart pump at Mount Sinai Hospital, marking a significant medical advancement.

Today in 1697, the European ship Le Griffon docked in Michigan, only to sink in Lake Michigan shortly after. In 1950, Soviet radio claimed Michigan football players were regularly injured, but the U.S. offered Soviet reporters season passes to University of Michigan games to refute the claim.

In 2012, Flint native Claressa Shields won gold in the first women's middleweight boxing event at the London Olympics. Today is also Gillian Anderson's birthday. Known for "The X-Files" and "The Crown," Anderson grew up in Grand Rapids and attended City Middle-High School. On her graduation night, she broke into the school as a prank but managed to reduce charges to trespassing.

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 birthda...

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 s...

Today in 1942, Detroit restaurant owner Max Stephan was convicted of treason and sentenced to death for being a Nazi spy.

Today in 1975, Stevie Wonder signed a groundbreaking contract with Motown worth $37 million for seven albums over seven years.

Today in 1877, the first telephone in Michigan rang, owned by the Grand Rapids Plaster Company, a friend of Alexander Graham Bell.

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....

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-...