Michigan Minute

1829: After writing articles critical of the MI Territorial Court, Detroit Journalist John P. Sheldon is jailed for refusing to pay a fine. The Detroiters rally together to support him. 1916: The engineering building at Michigan Agricultural College burns to the ground. Ransom E. Olds would pay for it's eventual rebuilding and become it's namesake. 2013: In an effort to promote transparency, the Michigan Supreme Court began livestreaming arguments and proceedings online.

1947: WWDT becomes Michigan's first broadcasting TV station, and only the sixth in the nation at the time. 1955: The Eastern White Pine is designated as Michigan's official state tree.

1847: After a short 10 months in office, Michigan Governor Alpheus Felch resigns in order to become a US Senator for Michigan. 1875: Mackinac Island becomes the second national park in the US. 1931: Isle Royal also becomes a national park.

1836: Kalamazoo, Michigan, officially discards its original name of Bronson due to the unsavoriness of its namesake. 1799: Detroit becomes an official entry point to the US. 1974: Amid the global energy crisis, Michigan's speed limit becomes 55 mph.

1962: K-Mart's debut in Garden City, Michigan. 1966: Birthday of Donyale Luna in Detroit. Would become first Black Supermodel to be on the cover of Vogue.

Couples celebrate Leap Day in Hell, Michigan, with quirky weddings. In 2008, 21 couples wed for free, and by 2020, 29 Hell-bound newlyweds gathered for a group wedding officiated by Reverend Yvonne Williams.

1992: Ecoterrorist Rodney Coronado sets fire to MSU researcher's office, destroying decades of research. 1907: Michigan legalizes Sunday baseball as Rep. George Duncan's bill passes.

1702: Bright comet startles Native Americans and French fur traders in Michigan. 1899: Michigan Agricultural College (MAC), later MSU, plays first basketball game as the Aggies. 2013: Rosa Parks honored with bronze statue at the US Capitol.

1836: William Austin Burt patents solar compass for accurate surveys in mineral-rich areas. 1954: Michigan Rep. Ruth Thompson proposes ban on mailing "obscene" rock and roll records. 2004: Smith & Wesson CEO James Minder resigns over criminal past revealed.

1779: British governor Henry Hamilton surrenders to US Colonel George Rogers Clark. 1861: Albion College authorized to confer 4-year degrees on men and women. 2018: Rare blue ice forms in the Great Lakes, a phenomenon usually seen in the Arctic.