history

Friend and colleague of MLK recalls his life

Current State — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:55:50 +0000

On this date 45 years ago, civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King, Junior was murdered in Memphis, Tennessee. To the world, King was an icon of equality and justice. His family and friends, of course, saw something more. One of Dr. King’s closest friends was William G. Anderson. Anderson is an osteopathic surgeon with Michigan State University who practices in Detroit. In 1961, Anderson lived in Albany, Georgia, where he started what came to be known as the “Albany Movement,” one of the first successful organized protests of the era.

Oldsmobile through the decades

Current State — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:50:43 +0000

The R.E. Olds transportation museum houses a diverse collection of Oldsmobiles dating from 1897 to 2004.

It also includes a wide array of auto and industrial history covering about a century, including a nearly complete collection of Michigan license plates, early traffic signs and a working 1950s-era traffic signal.

Bill Adcock is the Executive Director of the RE Olds Transportation Museum. He recently joined WKAR’s Peter Whorf for a tour of the museum.

How Tigers helped Michigan bear 1968 summer

Current State — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:18:23 +0000

With riots, the Vietnam War, and the King and Kennedy assassinations, 1968 was a tumultuous year for the United States. In Michigan, the success of the World Series champion, the Detroit Tigers, helped people get through that difficult time.

Tim Wendel, author of "Summer of '68: The Season that Changed Baseball and America, Forever," chronicles the relationship between the events of that time and the baseball heroes of that year.

A tour of Lansing's Albert Kahn building

Current State — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:47:24 +0000

New book chronicles history of Native American struggle with U.S. military

Current State — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:13:35 +0000

Forty years ago, 200 members of the American Indian Movement took over the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota. The group was protesting the federal government’s failure to honor various treaties with native tribes. The location was symbolic. In 1890, as many as 300 Lakota Indians were killed at Wounded Knee by the U-S Army. The standoff lasted 73 days and claimed three lives.

Detroit Boat Show also features Great Lakes naval history

Current State — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:40:42 +0000

The 55th annual Detroit Boat Show runs now through Sunday at Cobo Center. The expo showcases everything from power boats to pontoons, and even a little Great Lakes history. This year is the bicentennial of the epic Battle of Lake Erie, which occurred during the War of 1812.

The Henry Ford Observes Rosa Parks Centennial

Scott Pohl — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 05:00:01 +0000

Today marks the centennial of the birth of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks.

The War of 1812: Battle At The River Raisin

Scott Pohl — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:00:01 +0000

MSU historian Roger Rosentreter returns today to help us remember an important battle in the War of 1812: the Battle at the River Raisin, 200 years ago this week.

MICHIGAN AND THE CIVIL WAR: Antietam

Scott Pohl — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 04:00:01 +0000

Historian Roger Rosentreter marks the 150th anniversary of the bloodiest day in American history.

The War Of 1812: The Surrender Of Detroit

Scott Pohl — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:00:01 +0000

Today marks the bicentennial of the surrender of Detroit to the British in the War of 1812. The key figure is American General William Hull.

The War Of 1812: A Michigan Bicentennial

Scott Pohl — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 04:00:01 +0000

Today marks the bicentennial of a key date in the War of 1812. On this date, the British captured Fort Mackinac at the onset of war.

Calling All Anglophiles!

Jeanie Croope — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:32:15 +0000

I'd like to think everyone is as much an Anglophile as I am. While I know it's not true, I do know that there are a lot of WKAR-TV viewers who really are enjoying all things British on PBS this summer. If you count yourself in that number, here are a few shows coming up that you won't want to miss!

About Queens Elizabeth II and Victoria

Campus Archaeologists Dig MSU

Mark Bashore — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 04:00:00 +0000

A team of archaeologists at Michigan State University continues to explore what lies beneath the East Lansing campus.

MICHIGAN AND THE CIVIL WAR: Senator Zachariah Chandler

Scott Pohl — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:01 +0000

WKAR's Scott Pohl has been periodically talking with Michigan State University historian Roger Rosentreter about the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, with an eye on Michigan's role in the war. Today, they discuss the Joint Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War. Michigan Senator Zachariah Chandler was an outspoken member of the committee.

MICHIGAN AND THE CIVIL WAR: First Battle of Bull Run

Scott Pohl — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:14:22 +0000

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East Lansing, MI – EAST LANSING, MI (WKAR) - The Union lost the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, but a Colonel from Michigan, Orlando Willcox, would go on to great prominence as a Civil War figure.

MICHIGAN AND THE CIVIL WAR: 150th anniversary of the Michigan First

Scott Pohl — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:44:51 +0000

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EAST LANSING, MI – EAST LANSING, MI (WKAR) - Historian Roger Rosentreter recounts the crucial role played by the first western regiment to protect Washington. The Michigan First mustered on this date in Detroit in 1861.