Michigan Minute

On this day in 1887, pioneering pilot Philip Parmelee was born. He trained with the Wright Brothers and achieved several aviation firsts, including the first commercial flight and military reconnaissance flight. Parmelee tragically died at 25, but his legacy is honored at Lansing Capital Regional International Airport.

On this day in 1976, Sheila Young won three medals in speed skating at the Innsbruck Winter Olympics. In 2019, Representative John Dingell Jr., a key figure in passing significant legislation, passed away at 92.

On this day in 1877, the Detroit Club experienced a live concert from Chicago via telephone. In 1896, Charles King built and drove Detroit's first gasoline automobile. In 2014, the Detroit Red Wings retired Nicklas Lindstrom's number.

On this day in 1829, Detroit Gazette editor John P. Sheldon was fined and jailed for criticizing the Michigan territorial court. In 1916, a fire destroyed an engineering building at Michigan Agricultural College. In 2013, the Michigan Supreme Court began live streaming its proceedings.

On this day in 1947, WWDT-TV Channel 4, Michigan's first TV station, began broadcasting. In 1955, Michigan designated the eastern white pine as the official state tree, symbolizing the state's logging history.

On this day in 1847, Governor Alpheus Felch resigned to become a U.S. Senator. In 1875, Mackinac Island became the US's second national park. Then in 1931, Isle Royale National Park was authorized by Congress.

On this day in 1836, Governor Stevens T. Mason approved changing the town name from Bronson to Kalamazoo, distancing it from its controversial founder, Titus Bronson. Also, on this day in 1799, Detroit became an official U.S. port of entry, and in 1974, highway speed limits were reduced to 55 mph to save energy.

On this day in 1962, the S.S. Kresge Company opened the first K-Mart in Garden City, Michigan, marking the start of a retail empire. Also, on this day in 1966, Detroit-born Donyale Luna became the first Black supermodel to appear on the cover of Vogue Magazine, redefining beauty standards.

On this day in 1992, ecoterrorist Rodney Coronado struck the Michigan State Campus, setting fire to decades of research in Anthony Hall. In 1907, the Detroit Free Press reported on a successful bill to legalize Sunday baseball in Michigan, thanks to Rep. George Duncan of Detroit.

On this day in 1702, a comet blazed across the skies over Michigan, startling native Americans and frightening French fur traders. In 1899, Michigan Agricultural College, later MSU, played its first basketball game as the Aggies against Olivet. The game was intense and filled with fouls. In 2013, civil rights activist Rosa Parks was honored with a bronze statue at the US Capitol, the first full-size statue of an African-American woman there.