Michigan Minute

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.

On this day in 1933: The Territory of Michigan chartered its first school of higher learning, initially named the Michigan and Huron Institute, now Kalamazoo College. It remains one of the 100 oldest colleges in America. On this day in 2017: Flint, Michigan lost Lois E. Holt, the first Black school teacher in Flint, who passed away at 101. Holt supported African visitors and mortgaged her home to charter a plane for Flint residents to attend the Montgomery Alabama demonstrations in 1957.

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.