Michigan Minute

1943: Hurley Smith, a Bellaire, MI engineer, patented the pocket protector to prevent staining white shirts with ink and pencil marks. He experimented with plastics, folding them into rectangular shapes to cover shirt pockets. This practical invention later became a geeky stereotype by the 1980s.

2010: Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers nearly achieved a perfect game against the Cleveland team. However, an umpire's controversial call on the final batter, Jason Donald, denied him the milestone. Despite Galarraga's impressive pitching stats, including 28 batters faced with only one hit allowed, the game remains famous as an "Imperfect Game."

1863: Michigan initiated the recruitment of Native Americans for the Civil War, forming Company K, who notably flew a live eagle instead of a flag and fought valiantly to end slavery. 1910: The Dodge Brothers began construction on a car parts factory in Hamtramck, transforming it into a city of nearly 50,000, primarily inhabited by Polish immigrants. However, by 1980, Dodge Main was considered obsolete and closed down.

1855: The Soo Canal, linking Lake Huron and Lake Superior, opened after two years of construction, showcasing a remarkable engineering feat. 1884: In Battle Creek, Michigan, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg stumbled upon corn flakes while searching for a bread substitute, leading to a patent application that forever changed breakfast.

On this day in 1848, Abraham Lincoln coined the term "Michigander" in reference to Lewis Cass, sparking a linguistic debate that endures to this day. Learn about the origins of this term and its significance in Michigan's history.

Kirk Gibson, born in Pontiac, MI in 1957, chose baseball over football, becoming a Detroit Tigers legend. On this day in 1851, Sojourner Truth delivered her impactful "Ain't I A Woman" speech in Battle Creek, advocating for gender and racial equality. Today, we celebrate the enduring legacies of these two remarkable figures.

On this day in 2019, Private James Robinson, an enslaved man turned Revolutionary War hero, finally received recognition for his valor. Born enslaved, Robinson fought alongside George Washington's army, earning accolades for bravery at battles like Brandywine and Yorktown. Later, he volunteered in the War of 1812 and became an abolitionist preacher. The Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution unveiled a bronze marker at Elmwood Cemetery to honor his remarkable service and legacy.

1768: Detroit held its first election, appointing Philippe Dejean as judge. 1967: Kay E. Whitfield and Noreen E. Hillary became the first female officers in the Michigan State Police. 1927: Ford Motor Co. ceased production of the iconic Model T, marking the end of an automotive era that shaped American transportation.

On this day in 1861, Sarah Emma Edmonds, disguised as Franklin Thompson, joined the second Michigan Infantry. Serving bravely as a spy, medic, and soldier, she infiltrated Confederate lines multiple times. Edmonds' remarkable story of courage and sacrifice was later recognized by Congress, and her autobiography, "Nurse and Spy in the Union Army," continues to honor her legacy.