Michigan Minute

1942: Legendary singer Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, TN, but she would move to Detroit in her youth. After her gospel upbringing at the New Bethel Baptist Church, she embarked on what would soon be a chart-topping career at just 18 years old. Franklin became known as the "Queen of Soul" and was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She even received a posthumous citation from the Pulitzer Prize.

2016: Flint Water Crisis Whistleblower Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is named on the the 100 Most Influential People by Time Magazine. Through her work, she highlighted the dangerous levels of lead in the bloodwork of Flint's children, which alerted the world to the lead-pipe problems that would be uncovered in the process.

1710: Detroit's first Nain Rouge parade held. An enduring mythological creature of the city, the evil dwarf seemingly ran afoul Detroit founder Antoine Laumet de laMothe Cadillac, and continues to haunt the city. This parade continues today, and is meant to ward off the spirit while encouraging Detroit's growth.

1971: Actor and Comedian Keegan-Michael Key born in Detroit. After University of Detroit Mercy, would be cast on Mad TV, then co-create influential sketch show "Key & Peele." One character from that show brought him alongside President Obama, recreating an "Anger Translator" at the White House Correspondent's Dinner.

1933: Diego Rivera's controversial "Detroit Industry Murals" unveiled at the Detroit Institute of Arts. This combined celebration and criticism of the Ford Motor Company and it's workers by the celebrated Mexican, marxist artist remain on display in Detroit. 1953: The S.S. Badger begins its ferry service between Michigan and Wisconsin.

1971: Lake Superior State University starts Snowman Burning, initiating a tradition to bid farewell to winter. 1919: Women permitted to serve jury duty in Wayne County. 1970: Head of MI Civil Rights Commission assassinated in Detroit. The case remains unsolved, but widespread presumption suggests his aggressive pursuit of equal treatment for all Michiganders was the motive behind the killing.

1925: MI Legislature passes law requiring all recreational fishermen to purchase a state Department of Natural Resources license. 1897: MI Supreme Court rules against holding multiple government offices after Hazen Pingree serves as both Governor of Michigan and Mayor of Detroit. 1991: John Voelker, former MI Supreme Court Justice and author of "Anatomy of a Murder," dies at 87.

1972: Due to parental complaints, the University of Michigan disbanded the student housing experiment called "Xanadu," where male and female students cohabited. At least one Wolverine student was told not to return home after participating in the then-radical experiment. 1911: Alma, MI, placed 2,400 surprise Easter Eggs in their mailboxes for their dedicated mail carriers.

1808: Detroit's first St. Patrick's Day parade. 2014: MSU started building $730M Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) with US Dept of Energy. Completed 6 years later as leading hub in particle physics, especially for rare isotopes.

2013: MI Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation which banned state school districts from deducting union dues from employee's paychecks. 1846: State Rep. Joseph Kilbourne's impassioned arguments led the legislature to choose Lansing as Michigan's new state Capitol, ending a long search for a location.