Michigan Minute

In 1913, the Italian Hall disaster occurred in Calumet, Michigan, when a false "fire" alarm during a children’s Christmas party led to a deadly stampede, killing several, including many children. It’s believed the alarm was triggered by a strikebreaker. On this day in 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was signed, ending the War of 1812 and leading to the return of captured territory, including Fort Mackinac to the United States.

On this day in 1888, the lumber town of Hermansville, Michigan, near the Wisconsin border, was destroyed by fire. With no fire department and frozen water supplies, the bucket brigade was unable to stop the flames. In 1978, Michigan raised the legal drinking age back to 21 after it had been lowered to 18 for nearly seven years. The change came after an increase in teenage drinking and automobile accidents, approved by voters in November of that year.

On this day in 1917, Albert Carl Kaltschmidt was convicted for leading a plot to sabotage Detroit businesses, Windsor, Canada, and a railroad tunnel in Port Huron during World War I. Only one explosion succeeded, and Kaltschmidt was fined $20,000, imprisoned for three years, and deported. In 1984, Bay City’s Madonna scored her first Billboard No. 1 single with Like a Virgin, which stayed at the top for six weeks.

Born on this day in 1975 in Detroit, journalist and MSU alum Jemele Hill began her career in reporting at Mumford High School before earning a Journalism degree at Michigan State University. Hill rose to fame at ESPN, co-anchoring SportsCenter. In 2019, her tweets criticizing President Trump and MSU Athletics made headlines, but as Hill told WKAR’s Al Martin, it never diminished her Spartan pride.

Born on this day in 1808, Laura Smith Haviland became a prominent abolitionist in Michigan. She and her husband founded the Raisin Institute in 1837, a reform school that admitted children of all races, creeds, and sexes—likely Michigan’s first to admit African Americans. Haviland’s legacy is honored with a statue at the Lenawee County Historical Museum, inscribed as “A Tribute to a Life Consecrated to the Betterment of Humanity.”

In 1887, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert in its subscription season at the Detroit Opera House, featuring works by Liszt, Gottschalk, Berlioz, and Beethoven. It later became the first orchestra to broadcast a performance on the radio. On this day in 1856, celery was introduced to Michigan at a banquet in Kalamazoo to honor firefighters, sparking interest in the crop and earning the city the nickname “Celery City.”

On this day in 1798, Michigan’s first American election was held in the Northwest Territory, with Solomon Sibley defeating James May amid accusations of voter bribery. In 1908, Lansing introduced the first factory-built, motorized fire engine, a milestone that would soon be adopted by manufacturers, though Detroit didn’t fully retire its horse-drawn fire engines until 1922.

Born on this day in 1808, Kinsley Scott Bingham served as Michigan's 11th governor, U.S. Representative, and Senator. He signed the legislation creating Michigan’s first agricultural college, which later became Michigan State University. In 1909, Detroit’s prominent citizens, with help from the Wright brothers, founded Michigan’s first aero club and conducted Detroit's first airport survey—by car.

On this day in 1819, Michigan’s first surveyed road, Pontiac Road, opened, with wooden planks connecting Detroit to Pontiac, charging tolls for carts and cattle. In 1935, 15,000 people gathered at University of Detroit Stadium for the NFL Championship, where the Detroit Lions defeated the New York Giants 26-7, securing their first championship. The win was a bright spot for Detroit during the Great Depression, with each player earning $7,207, equivalent to about $162,000 today.

In 1983, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime, setting an NBA record for the highest-scoring game. Pistons center Bill Laimbeer missed a free throw with seconds left, allowing Isiah Thomas to tie the game and force overtime. In 2003, Michigan State faced the University of Kentucky at Ford Field in Detroit's Basketbowl, setting a record for the most-attended basketball game with 78,000 spectators; Kentucky won 79-74.

In 1983, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime, setting an NBA record for the highest-scoring game. Pistons center Bill Laimbeer missed a free throw with seconds left, allowing Isiah Thomas to tie the game and force overtime. In 2003, Michigan State faced the University of Kentucky at Ford Field in Detroit's Basketbowl, setting a record for the most-attended basketball game with 78,000 spectators; Kentucky won 79-74.

In 1919, the Coed Tap Dance Strike at the University of Michigan began when women were barred from using the Michigan Union taproom, leading men to dance outside with women as guests. In 1979, Detroit's Joe Louis Arena hosted its inaugural event, a basketball game where the University of Michigan defeated the University of Detroit 85-72. In 2000, General Motors announced it would phase out production of Oldsmobile, the nation's oldest automotive brand.

On this day in 1971, a methane explosion in a Lake Huron tunnel killed 22 men. In 1948, Michigan State University students celebrated the school’s Big Ten admission. In 2014, Rep. Klint Kesto proposed to his girlfriend on the Michigan State House floor, with bipartisan cheers when she said yes.

Born on this day in 1813, Zachariah Chandler, a staunch abolitionist and radical Republican, served as Detroit’s mayor and a four-term Michigan senator. On this day in 1887, the Soo Railroad Line, also known as the Iron Horse, reached Sault Ste. Marie, connecting the town year-round. In 1915, after seven years of production, the millionth Ford Model T rolled off the assembly line at the River Rouge plant in Detroit.

On this day, Gerald R. Ford's stepfather, also named Gerald Ford, was born in Grand Rapids. He raised the future president, instilling values like honesty, hard work, and punctuality. In 1972, Grand Rapids also became the first Michigan city to feature a Black Santa Claus in its Christmas parade. And in 2011, Mittengate occurred when Wisconsin claimed the mitten state title, sparking a Michigan rivalry.

Born on this day in 1886, Mexican artist Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry Murals, painted in 1933, depict the Motor City and Ford Motor Company, and are still on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts. On this day in 1956, Central Michigan University dedicated the Clarke Historical Library in Mount Pleasant, housing extensive collections on Michigan's history, including the state's first people.

Born on this day in 1932 in Detroit, Ellen Burstyn went on to win the Triple Crown of Acting (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) after starting her career as a dancer and model. On December 7, 1941, Ensign Francis Flaherty of Charlotte, Michigan, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor, sacrificing his life to save his crew aboard the USS Oklahoma.

On this day in 1881, the initial meeting to establish the Detroit Institute of Arts took place, led by Detroit Evening News founder James Scripps. A year later, the museum opened its first exhibit. On December 6, 1928, the University of Michigan became the first Big Ten school to have an indoor hockey rink. Additionally, in 1973, Gerald Ford was sworn in as the first non-elected vice president after being appointed by President Nixon to replace Spiro Agnew amid scandal.

On this day in 1858, Chief Okemos died near Portland, prompting the Michigan legislature to rename Hamilton in his honor and dedicate a historical marker to his legacy. Additionally, on this day in 1843, the USS Michigan was launched, patrolling the Great Lakes primarily against timber pirates. After 62 years of service, it was renamed the USS Wolverine, and the prow of the original ship is now displayed at the Erie Maritime Museum in Pennsylvania.

On this day in 1844, Michigan Central College opened in Spring Arbor, becoming the first college in Michigan to offer degrees to women. It later moved to Hillsdale and was renamed Hillsdale College, the first American college to ban discrimination in its charter. In 1908, Dr. Alfred Day Hershey was born in Owosso; he won the Nobel Prize in 1969 for his groundbreaking work on DNA, having studied at Michigan State Agricultural College (now MSU).

On this day in 1896, Michigan introduced its first Rural Free Delivery (RFD) service in Climax, with routes spanning 25-30 miles and carriers earning $45 a month while providing their own horses and buggies. In 1929, despite the stock market collapse, Ford Motor Company increased employee pay from $5 to $7 a day. Additionally, in 2003, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed a bill recognizing Cesar Chavez Day, honoring the labor leader and civil rights activist.

On this day in 1830, Elizabeth Chandler established the Logan Female Anti-slavery Society, Michigan’s first anti-slavery group, supporting the Underground Railroad. In 1927, Ford Motor Company unveiled the Model A, a successful successor to the Model T, priced between $500 and $1,200. In 1975, President Gerald Ford was welcomed in China with the MSU Fight Song during his visit.

On this date in 1955, civil rights hero Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat in the "whites only" section of a bus, sparking a movement against segregation. For her defiance, she faced job loss and death threats. Two years later, she moved to Detroit, where she worked as a secretary for U.S. Representative John Conyers for 23 years. Parks remained a Michigander for nearly 50 years until her passing in 2005.

Born in 1955 in Lansing, figure skater Alice Cook won silver at the 1976 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and represented the U.S. at the Innsbruck Winter Olympics. After retiring, she became a TV sports reporter and founded She’s Game Sports in 2011, focusing on women sports fans. On this date in 1815, U.S. Surveyor General Edward Tiffin described the Michigan Territory as unsafe and labeled it an "Interminable Swamp," hindering settlement efforts.

On this day in 1847, Michigan's first telegraph wire was completed along the Michigan Central Railroad Tracks, with early telegrams discussing the Mexican-American War and wheat prices. In 1870, Susan B. Anthony spoke at the Northwestern Woman’s Suffrage Association in Detroit, advocating for women's voting rights and highlighting the injustices faced by women without the vote. Her impactful speech was reported the next day in the Detroit Free Press.

Born in 1929, Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records, launching the careers of artists like Marvin Gaye and the Supremes. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1975 American Music Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. In 2016, Michael Jim Delligattie, creator of the "Big Mac Super Sandwich" and a Michigan State University alumnus, passed away; McDonald's sells an estimated 550 million Big Macs in the U.S. each year.

On Thanksgiving Eve in 1901, one of Michigan's worst railroad disasters occurred in southern Lenawee County, with official reports citing 23 deaths, though on-site reporters estimated the toll was closer to 100. In 1924, the paper mache and wooden Big Head puppets debuted, becoming a staple of Detroit's Thanksgiving parade. Additionally, in 1960, Gordie Howe, known as Mr. Hockey, scored his 1,000th point, marking a career that spanned six decades since he debuted with the Red Wings in 1946.

On this day in 1883, Sojourner Truth, the renowned abolitionist and advocate for civil and women’s rights, passed away in Battle Creek, Michigan. Born Isabella Bomfree, she escaped slavery in 1827 and fought for her son’s return from illegal sale. Later, she renamed herself Sojourner Truth and dedicated her life to helping enslaved people escape and promoting civil rights. November 26 is officially recognized as Sojourner Truth Day in Michigan.

The 1973 Ohio State vs. Michigan football game ended in a tie, leading to a notorious controversy in Big Ten history. With a conference championship and Rose Bowl appearance on the line, Michigan's quarterback broke his collarbone, and the Big Ten, concerned about its recent bowl performance, announced the next day that Ohio State would play in the Rose Bowl despite the tie.

Today marks the birthday of Detroit Tiger outfielder Jim Northrup, born in Breckenridge, MI, in 1939. He was key to the 1968 World Championship team, leading in hits and RBIs and clinching the title with a triple in Game 7. On this date in 1975, Michigan State University professor Jack H. Hetherington humorously credited his Siamese cat, F.D.C. Willard, as a co-author in his paper on atomic exchange effects, delighting the academic community.

Born on this day in 1864, Henry Bourne Joy envisioned uniting the coasts through the automobile. As the son of a Michigan Central Railroad president, he championed the creation of one of America's first coast-to-coast concrete roads, which became the Lincoln Highway in 1913. Joy also brought the Packard Motor Car Company to Detroit, where it thrived for nearly 50 years before merging with Studebaker in the 1950s.

Born on this day in 1893, Harley J. Earl became the first head of design for General Motors, introducing the concept car as a vital design tool and marketing strategy. In 1976, the comic strip "Cathy" debuted, created by Midland, Michigan's Cathy Guisewite. This pioneering strip humorously depicted the title character's struggles with love, work, and her overbearing but caring mother, running for 34 years.

On this day in 1945, UAW workers began a 113-day strike against General Motors, advocating for wage increases in the wake of World War II. Fast forward to 2005, when hockey took a backseat as Detroit Red Wings player Jiri Fischer collapsed on the ice with a heart rate of 300 beats per minute. Team doctors performed CPR, reviving him after his heart flatlined for 24 seconds, ultimately saving his life.

In 1966, the MSU Spartans faced Notre Dame in a highly anticipated college football showdown, which ended in a 10-10 tie as the Fighting Irish opted to run out the clock. Fast forward to 2004, when a fight erupted between the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers. After a fan threw a cup at Pacers forward Ron Artest, he charged into the stands, igniting a chaotic melee that led to suspensions for nine players and criminal charges for several individuals.

On this day in 1883, railroads established American time zones, assigning Michigan to central time, although Detroit resisted until 1900. In 1931, the state legislature adopted eastern time to provide more evening daylight. Additionally, 1927 marked the birth of Detroit’s Hank Ballard, an early rock and roller whose song “The Twist” gained worldwide fame after being re-recorded by Chubby Checker in 1958.

In 2006, Bo Schembechler, the winningest coach in University of Michigan football history, passed away at 77 while filming a segment for an upcoming Michigan-Ohio State game. With a record of 194 wins, 48 losses, and 5 ties, Schembechler left a lasting legacy, famously summarized by player Andree McIntyre after their 1986 Big Ten Championship: “Those Who Stay Will Be Champions.”

Born on this day in 1942, dancer Donna McKechnie from Pontiac rose to fame on Broadway, winning a Tony in 1976 for her role as Cassie in A Chorus Line. In 1979, activist Cesar Chavez addressed the Michigan Legislature, advocating for migrant farm workers during a UFW boycott of “Red Coach” Lettuce. His impact was later honored in 2019 when a road in Old Town Lansing was renamed in his honor.

On this day in 1929, the Ambassador Bridge opened as the longest suspension bridge in the world at 7,490 feet, built with 21,000 tons of steel. On November 15, 1985, a bomb from the Unabomber injured a research assistant at the University of Michigan. Theodor Kaczynski, known for his bombing campaign against modern technology, killed three people and was captured after his manifesto led to his identification by his brother.

In 1914, John and Horace Dodge produced the first Dodge automobile, the four-cylinder Model 30, known as “Old Betsy,” at their Hamtramck facility. In 2013, Detroit Tiger Miguel Cabrera was named back-to-back AL MVP, overcoming numerous injuries in the final months. Additionally, in 1857, Francis B. Gilbert inaugurated Grand Rapids' first gas street lamp, leading to significant gas sales in its first year.

Born on this day in 1922, Suzanne Upjohn Delano Parish co-founded the Air Zoo and famously flew a bright pink P-40 Warhawk during WWII. Though she joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) two years late, she logged ten times the required flight hours. She continued performing in air shows until her 70s and was inducted into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame in 1994 for her contributions to aviation and philanthropy.

On this day in 1904, Herbert Hughes made headlines when a chicken he beheaded ran around for another 17 days, drawing tourists to Sault Ste. Marie. In 1862, Michigan State Agricultural College (now MSU) held its first graduation ceremony, delayed by the Civil War. Additionally, in 1909, the first mile of paved concrete road was laid on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, marking a significant development in Michigan's infrastructure.

On this day in 1928, the Fisher Theater opened in Detroit, later remodeled for a more intimate experience. In 1975, Mariner Church tolled its bells 29 times for the crew lost on the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, a tradition lasting until 2006. Additionally, in 2011, Michigan State became the first Big Ten team to play on an aircraft carrier, honoring veterans in a game against the University of North Carolina aboard the USS Carl Vinson.

On this day in 1975, a fierce storm claimed the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior, taking down the largest ship lost on the Great Lakes along with 29 crew members. The tragedy inspired Gordon Lightfoot to write “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which became a Number 2 hit almost a year later, immortalizing the disaster in song.

On this date in 2013, the newest U.S. Navy aircraft carrier was named after Michigan's only president, Gerald R. Ford, with notable attendees like Senator Carl Levin and Susan Ford Bales. Additionally, in 1895, Detroit witnessed the last trip of a horse-drawn car before the arrival of electric public transit, marked by a crowd that celebrated its end with a bit of chaos.

On this day in 1870, African Americans gained the right to vote in Michigan state elections, thanks to the 15th Amendment. In 2002, Eminem released "8 Mile," a film based on his life in Detroit’s hip-hop scene. Additionally, in 1874, Frank Baldwin of Constantine, Michigan, became one of only 19 servicemen to receive the U.S. Medal of Honor twice for his bravery in battle.

This week in 1913, a devastating storm struck the Great Lakes, sinking 19 ships and claiming over 230 lives. On this day in 1950, Lansing welcomed Alexa Irene Canady, the first African American neurosurgeon, who later became chief of neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital. In 1991, Magic Johnson announced his HIV-positive status, becoming a prominent activist and changing perceptions of the disease.

On this day in 1962, an imposter named Daniel West was elected to Michigan's House of Representatives, claiming a background in local offices. He was reelected in 1964, but a fingerprint match revealed him as a three-time convicted felon. The real Daniel West, a New York attorney, had died in 1961. A warrant was issued in 1965, but the fraudster vanished, with his true identity remaining a mystery to this day.

On this day in 1918, Michigan became the 7th state to grant women the right to vote. In 2002, Jennifer Granholm was elected as the first woman governor. Additionally, in 2004, "The Polar Express" premiered in Grand Rapids, featuring a locomotive modeled after a Pere Marquette.

On this day, we honor Cora Mae Brown, who became the first Black woman elected to the Michigan Senate in 1952, advocating for civil rights and fair housing. Additionally, in 1907, Faygo Pop was founded by Russian immigrant brothers Ben and Perry Feigensen, introducing flavors like grape and fruit punch, which later became known as red pop.