Michigan Minute

On this day in 1898, Sarah Emma Edmonds, a Civil War veteran who served disguised as a man in the Union Army, passed away. Also, in 1964, Beatlemania hit Detroit's Olympia Stadium with two concerts during the Beatles' North American Tour. Fans could buy tickets for just $2 to $5, and a local radio station sold squares of the band's bedsheets to eager fans.

On this day in 1881, a massive firestorm in Michigan's Thumb burned over a million acres, killing at least 282 people. In 1959, the Mackinac Bridge Walk was moved to Labor Day, with Governor G. Mennen Williams leading the 4.5-mile walk across the "Mighty Mac."

On this day in 1838, over 850 Potawatomi, including 150 from Michigan, were forced west on the "trail of death," though some in Dowagiac resisted thanks to leader Leopold Pokagon. In 1891, Felix Schlag, the designer of the U.S. nickel used from 1938 to 2004, was born. His initials, FS, appear under Jefferson’s bust on nickels from 1966 onward. Schlag spent his final years in Owosso, Michigan.

Today in 1783, the U.S. Revolutionary War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by future president John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, among others. Thanks to Franklin's insistence, Isle Royale, despite being closer to Canada, became part of the U.S. due to rumored copper deposits. Britain’s Prime Minister even remarked, "Mr. Franklin, I don’t give a damn if that island is solid copper," highlighting Franklin’s determination. Today, you can hike Mount Franklin in Isle Royale National Park, a nod to his legacy.

On this day in 1902, Detroit recorded its first automobile fatality when businessman George W. Bissell was thrown from his horse-drawn carriage after it was startled by a speeding car, leading to his tragic death. In 1977, Mary Livingston from Manistique, Michigan, made history as one of the first women to become an Air Force pilot, marking a significant milestone for women in aviation.

Born in Detroit on August 31, 1939, Lily Tomlin began her career in stand-up comedy before earning acclaim in film, television, and theater. Known for her Oscar-nominated role in Nashville, her iconic part in 9 to 5, and voicing Ms. Frizzle in The Magic School Bus, Tomlin also won a Tony Award for a play written by her longtime partner, Jane Wagner. After 42 years together, they married in 2013. Happy Birthday, Lily Tomlin!

Today in 1809, the first and possibly only issue of "The Michigan Essay or The Impartial Observer" was published by Father Gabriel Richard in Detroit. The four-page paper, printed by James M. Miller, promised weekly issues but never saw a second volume. A subscription cost $5 for Detroit residents and $4 for others—a steep price for its time.

Today in 1905, Ty Cobb made his MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers at 18 years old. Known for his exceptional batting, Cobb hit .420 in the 1911 season and became the first millionaire in baseball through shrewd contracts and investments in companies like General Motors and Coca-Cola. He was inducted into the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

Jazz musician Bennie Maupin, born in Detroit on this day in 1940, famously declined Miles Davis's offer to join his band in 1970, having already committed to trumpeter Lee Morgan. Despite this, Maupin later collaborated with Davis on four albums, including the iconic Bitches Brew. Known for his work with Sonny Rollins and Herbie Hancock, Maupin has also released six solo albums, including The Jewel in the Lotus.

Michigan passed a law banning hitchhiking and bicycles on the Interstate Highway System, nearly a decade after the system's enactment. Also, on this day in 1835, President Andrew Jackson removed 19-year-old Stevens T. Mason from his role as acting governor of Michigan Territory, replacing him with John Horner. Despite this, Michiganders elected Mason as the first governor of the new state of Michigan just two months later.

Today in 1856, Abraham Lincoln visited Kalamazoo to campaign for John Charles Fremont. His speech, initially lost to history, was rediscovered in 1930 by Tom Starr in a 1856 Detroit Advertiser at the Detroit Public Library. Lincoln emphasized the importance of emancipation, stating, “Shall we say, 'Let it be'? No – we have an interest in the maintenance of the principles of the Government, and without this interest, it is worth nothing.”

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, Michigan.

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, marking a significant advancement in transportation.

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. by USA Today and the New York Times.

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 Can Make Money in the Stock Market.”

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. She served on the bench for nearly 30 years and continued her activism until her death.

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 birthday of Jim Blanchard, born in Detroit in 1942, who served as a two-term Michigan governor and later ambassador to Canada.

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.

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 cancer in 1952.

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.

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 phone, and by decade's end, cities across Michigan were buzzing with telephone conversations.

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 island is twelve miles long, six miles wide, and has six lakes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On this day in 1909, Michigander Neal Ball made MLB’s first unassisted triple play. And in 1838, a massive canal project began—only to be abandoned years later.