Michigan Minute

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.