Michigan Minute

On this day in 1948: James Zarichny, a Michigan State College senior and political activist, took a stand against the Michigan legislature. He refused to testify before the Senate Committee on Un-American Activities, defending political freedom. Zarichny was sentenced to jail but served only one day as the Senate term ended. His actions highlighted the tension of the Cold War era.

On this day in 1912: The Detroit Tigers moved into their new home at Navin Field, later known as Tiger Stadium. The Tigers had previously played at Bennett Park since 1896. On April 20th, 1912, Ty Cobb scored the first run at Navin Field in front of over 24,000 fans. Cobb's performance helped the Tigers secure a 6-5 win over Cleveland in 11 innings.

On this day in 1912: Glenn T. Seaborg, the Nobel-laureate Michigander, was born in Ishpeming, Michigan. He discovered 10 atomic elements, including plutonium, curium, and seaborgium. April 19, 1927, marks the first radio broadcast of a regular season Detroit Tigers baseball game. WWJ and broadcaster Ty Tyson covered the entire season, starting with an 8-5 win over Cleveland. These milestones highlight Michigan's contributions to science and sports.

On this day in 1837, Grand Rapids' first newspaper, the Grand River Times, was published after a challenging journey. The printing press, bought from the Niagara Falls Journal, faced multiple obstacles, including a shipwreck and sinking in the river, before finally making it to its destination.

On this day in 1893, a tidal wave swept St. Joseph, Michigan, extending 600-700 feet over the beach. In 1955, Al Kaline became the youngest player to win the league batting title, playing 22 seasons with the Tigers and hitting 399 home runs. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.

On this day in 1912, Harriet Quimby from Arcadia, Michigan, made history as the first woman to fly solo over the English Channel. She was also the first American woman to become a licensed pilot and wrote seven screenplays for early Hollywood. In 2018, Des Linden from Brooks, Michigan, won the Boston Marathon, becoming the first American woman to win since 1985. The two-time Olympian crossed the finish line in just under 2 hours, 39 minutes, and 55 seconds, celebrating with a victory lap carrying an American flag.

On this day in 1912, the Titanic began to sink, with Michigan couple Dickinson and Helen Bishop among the first to board a lifeboat. In 1911, the Detroit Tigers played their famed "Blizzard Game," and in 2002, Byron 'Whizzer' White, former Detroit Lions star and US Supreme Court Justice, passed away.

On this day in 1960, we celebrate the incorporation of Motown Records. With an $800 loan from his family, Berry Gordy Jr. founded the company, originally named Tamla Records. Motown became one of the most successful independent record labels in American music history, representing artists like Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and Stevie Wonder. Its music transcended racial barriers, even during the era of Jim Crow segregation, and remains iconic to this day.

On this day in 1926, we remember how Michigan State University fans avoided the nickname "Staters" in 1926. Thanks to George Alderton and Stephen Scofes, the team became known as the Spartans, reflecting the ancient warriors' athletic prowess and courage.

On this day in 1825, we remember Lisette Denison, the first Black woman landowner in Michigan, who bought 48.5 acres in Pontiac in 1825. We also highlight the 1955 announcement of the polio vaccine's success by the University of Michigan. Additionally, in 2016, Michigan State University took a significant step to combat climate change by ceasing coal burning in their power plants.