Michigan Minute

On this day in 1957, Detroit Tiger Kirk Gibson was born in Pontiac, Michigan. And in 1851, Sojourner Truth delivered her 'Ain't I A Woman' speech, advocating for women's rights and racial equality.

On this day in 2019, the Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution honored Private James Robinson, a Black soldier in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, with a bronze marker for his valor.

On this day in 1768, Detroit held its first election, with Philippe Dejean voted as judge and justice of the district. Public records show 31 men voted. And in 1967, Kay E. Whitfield of Pontiac and Noreen E. Hillary of Grand Rapids were sworn in as the first women officers of the Michigan State Police. On this day in 1927, Ford Motor Co. produced the last Model T, ending the production of America’s first mass-produced automobile. The Model T, which captured the nation’s imagination, had more than 15 million units manufactured and held the longest production run until 1972.

On this day in 1861, Franklin Thompson joined the 2nd Michigan Infantry, bravely serving as a spy, field medic, mail carrier, and soldier. Thompson successfully infiltrated Confederate lines 11 times, but the biggest act of disguise was joining the infantry in the first place. Mr. Franklin Thompson was actually Ms. Sarah Emma Edmonds, born in Canada. Disguising herself to enlist, Edmonds was later recognized as a combat soldier of the Civil War by Congress and granted a pension. Her autobiography, Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, was dedicated to the “sick and wounded soldiers of the Army of the Potomac,” with all profits donated to soldier aid societies.

On this day in 1917, Florence Knoll was born in Saginaw, Michigan. Her studies in architecture and design at a boarding school in Bloomfield Hills set her on an iconic path. Her modern office designs in the 1950s and 60s were widely adopted, earning her numerous awards, including induction into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1985 and the National Medal of Arts in 2002. And in 1820, Governor Lewis Cass and geologist Henry Schoolcraft began the first major US expedition to explore the Upper Peninsula, aiming to encourage settlement in the Michigan territory.

On this day in 1939, the Detroit City Council voted to ban pinball machines from being played outside on the streets, concerned they were being used for gambling. While Los Angeles banned them completely, Detroit opted for a more moderate approach. And today is Gwen Frostic Day in Michigan, as proclaimed by Governor William Milliken in 1978. Born in the Michigan Thumb, Frostic’s art studio near Sleeping Bear Dunes became a nature lover's attraction. She wrote her own epitaph: “Here lies one doubly blessed. She was happy and she knew it.”

On this day in 2015, divers discovered Michigan’s underwater Stonehenge on the bed of Lake Michigan. The ring of stones, resembling the British Isles' Stonehenge, features carvings of animals like mastodons and is believed to date back to the last ice age, around 14,000 years ago. Also today in 1857, Michigan’s first Black legislator, William Ferguson, was born in Detroit. After winning a racial discrimination case, Ferguson became prominent and was elected as Michigan’s first Black Representative in the 1890s. His portrait was placed in the Michigan State Capitol in 2018.

On this day in 1892, Ransom E. Olds sold the first American car for export. His steam-powered car, featured in Scientific American, was bought by a company in London, making it the first American car sold overseas. And in 1937, “My Michigan” was adopted as the official state song, chosen for expressing the hopes and pride of Michigan's people. However, it’s rarely sung due to copyright issues, with royalties required until the copyright expires in 2031.

On this day in 1927, Detroit native Charles Lindbergh completed the first nonstop solo transatlantic flight, leaving Long Island’s Roosevelt Field and landing in Paris 33.5 hours later, becoming an international celebrity. And in 1970, Michigan State University President Clifton Wharton called in the state police to end a student strike protesting the Vietnam War. With the Kent State Massacre fresh in mind, Wharton and Governor Milliken aimed to avoid incidents, leading to the arrest of 127 students and the strike's end.

On this day in 1903, Buick, now a division of GM, was incorporated in Detroit. David Dunbar Buick and Walter L. Marr built the first automobile to be called a Buick just before the turn of the century, but the company wasn’t incorporated until three years later. And in 1930, the world’s first recorded identical quadruplets were born at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Named Edna A., Wilma B., Sarah C., and Helen D., after Edward W. Sparrow Hospital, the sisters became local celebrities. Their father, Carl Morlok, was hired as Lansing city constable and won reelection by a landslide in 1931.

On this day in 1846, Michigan outlawed the death penalty, becoming the first government in the English-speaking world to do so. Capital punishment was later banned in Michigan’s state constitution in 1964. And in 1929, Michigan’s first Holland Tulip Time was held. The idea was pitched by high school biology teacher Lida Rogers to the Women’s Literary Club, leading to the annual celebration of the famous Dutch flower. Tulip Time wasn’t held during World War II or in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but returned in 2021.

On this day in 1866, Frederick Douglass visited Ypsilanti, Michigan, a hub of the Underground Railroad with a sizable Black community. He spoke about Lincoln’s assassination and shared anecdotes from his meetings with the President during the Civil War. And today in 1881, Julius Ropes discovered gold near Ishpeming, Michigan. Two years later, he opened the only profitable gold mine east of the Mississippi River, which operated until 1991.

On this day in 1986, Top Gun opened and became a smash hit. Written by Michigan State professor Jim Cash and his former student Jack Epps Jr., the film was a product of their remote collaboration. And today in 2016, John Willie Jordan of Farmington, Michigan, received the Congressional Gold Medal. Jordan was one of the first Black Americans to join the Marines in the 1940s, serving as one of the Montford Point Marines. He reflected, “I thought I had been forgotten.”

On this day in 1857, Michigan Agricultural College held its first classes. Established by the Michigan Legislature two years earlier, the college initially offered only agricultural studies. Enrollment was just 63 students, a stark contrast to the tens of thousands at Michigan State University today. And in 1925, Sophie Kurys, known as ‘The Flint Flash,’ was born. Playing for the Racine Belles in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, she stole over one-thousand bases in her career. In 1946, she set a record with 201 stolen bases in 203 attempts, a feat still unmatched in MLB. Kurys played in skirts on gravel infields, embodying both grace and athleticism.

On this day in 1950, Stevie Wonder, the legendary musician and Motown icon, was born in Saginaw, Michigan. From his chart-topping debut at age 13 to winning 25 Grammy Awards, Stevie has left an indelible mark on music history.

On this day in 1891, Detroit’s streetcar employees unionized. Starting in April, local transit workers picketed the Detroit Street Railway and Grand River Railway companies, leading to a violent 3-day riot. They sought a 10-hour workday instead of 12. After Mayor Hazen Pingree intervened, an agreement was reached on May 12, recognizing the new union.

On this day in 1978, Margaret Brewer, a native of Durand, became the Marine Corps’ first woman brigadier general. Inspired by the Iwo Jima flag raisers, she joined the Marines after graduating from the University of Michigan. And in 1875, Harriet Quimby, the first licensed American female pilot, was born in Arcadia, Michigan.

On this day in 1815, Eliza Seaman Leggett, a key member of the Underground Railroad, was born. Her Michigan home welcomed many enslaved people and notable abolitionists. A fighter for women's suffrage and public water availability, she also supported American literature. In 2003, she was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

On this day in 1959, Mike and Marian Ilitch opened their first Little Caesars restaurant in Garden City, Michigan. Mike, a former Detroit Tigers farm team shortstop, turned to pizza after an injury. Their $10,000 investment grew into the world's largest carry-out pizza chain, enabling them to own other businesses in food, sports, and entertainment.

On this day in 1924, Sophie Lyons, a famous rogue turned reformer, died in Detroit. Known as one of the country's most notorious thieves, she later dedicated her life to juvenile delinquent rehabilitation. Her autobiography, "Why Crime Doesn’t Pay," and her amassed fortune reflect her complex legacy.

On this day in 1898, Daniel Frank Gerber, the creator of Gerber Baby food, was born in Fremont, Michigan. His wife Dorothy suggested making and selling baby foods at their canning company, leading to the creation of the Gerber Products Company. Their enterprise became the world's largest baby-food manufacturer by 1974.

On this day in 1903, civil rights pioneer Booker T. Washington addressed an enthusiastic audience in Detroit, advocating for unity and greatness. And in 1831, Michigan's oldest continuously published newspaper, the Detroit Free Press, began its journey. Both events mark significant milestones in Michigan's history.

On this day in 1846, the first woman to address the Michigan legislature, Ernestine Rose, spoke about women's suffrage. And in 2010, Detroit Tigers' beloved broadcaster Ernie Harwell passed away, leaving behind a legacy in sports memorabilia. Their contributions continue to inspire and shape Michigan's history.

On this day in 2017: A rare fossil of a Placoderm, an armor-plated fish, was found in Alpena, Michigan, exciting paleontologists at the University of Michigan. On this day in 1921: Walker Smith Jr., better known as boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, was born. Although his birth certificate says Georgia, he grew up in Detroit and became one of the greatest boxers, winning six world championships.

On this day in 1964: At Michigan Stadium, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced his plans for "The Great Society" during the University of Michigan’s commencement. This included Medicare, Medicaid, and the Civil Rights Act. On this day in 1844: Elijah McCoy, the son of escaped enslaved people, was born. His invention of a steam engine oil lubrication system led to the phrase "The Real McCoy."

On this day in 1926: The Ford Motor Company became one of the first in America to adopt a five-day, 40-hour workweek for automotive factory workers. This decision, made in 1922, aimed to promote a better home life for employees. Edsel Ford, company president, emphasized the importance of rest and recreation for a proper work-life balance.

On this day in 1935: During the Great Depression, the Regent Cafe in Jackson, Michigan offered $1,000 for couples to walk as long as they could. Tommy McGeer and Jackie Airgood walked for 88 days to win the prize. On this day in 1954: The first passenger flight, a DC6B "Great Lakes Clipper," took off from Wayne Major (now Detroit Metropolitan) Airport, bound for London.

On this day in 1835: The Michigan-Ohio border war flared up as Michigan militia confronted Ohio surveyors. The Detroit Free Press and Toledo Gazette exchanged heated articles. On this day in 2004: The final Oldsmobile Alero drove off the line at GM's Lansing Car Assembly plant, marking the end of the historic Oldsmobile brand. Only Cadillac CT4 & CT5 are now produced in Lansing.

On this day in 1887: The Michigan House expelled Representative Milo Dakin for attempting to bribe fellow lawmakers. This marked the first expulsion in Michigan's history. On this day in 1896: The Detroit Tigers played their first official game as part of the Western League, defeating the Columbus Senators 17 to 2 at their new stadium at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull.

On this day in 1764: The Provincial Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons in New York issued a charter to Michigan's first Masonic lodge in Detroit. The lodge, known as Zion Lodge, faced suspensions but always returned. On this day in 1833: The steamboat Michigan, the first steamer built in Detroit, was launched. It traveled 2,000 miles in its first season, visiting various ports on Lake Michigan.

On this day in 1901: Kalamazoo saloon owners agreed to stop offering extravagant free lunches, limiting them to cheese and crackers. On this day in 1865: Luther and LaFayette Baker from Lansing, Michigan, found John Wilkes Booth and David Herold in a barn after President Lincoln's assassination. Herold surrendered, but Booth did not. Luther Baker's account is in the Michigan Archives.

On this day in 1838: Mary T. Lathrap, known as the "Daniel Webster of Prohibition," was born in Jackson, Michigan. She was a teacher turned evangelist who championed temperance and co-founded Michigan's Women's Suffrage organization. Although she passed in 1895, her poem "Judge Softly" inspired the saying, "Before you judge someone, walk a mile in their shoes."

On this day in 1941: The first tank from Detroit's Arsenal of Democracy rolled off the assembly line at Chrysler. The 30-ton M3 tank was rapidly produced and tested in Warren, Michigan. Historians note Detroit's high production rates significantly impacted World War II. The M3 Grant model was used by the British army in North Africa. Detroit's arsenal produced over 22,000 tanks during the war.

On this day in 1918: Henry Ford gifted his first Fordson Tractor to his friend, plant breeder Luther Burbank. Burbank was known for his experiments with plants and developing the Idaho Potato. On this day in 1954: Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore was born in Davison, Michigan. Moore is known for his documentaries like "Bowling for Columbine" and "Roger & Me," highlighting political and social issues.