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Copyright 2001. The Lazy 'C' - All rights reserved.
history
The present flag--Michigan’s third since becoming a state in 1837--was adopted by Public Act 209 of 1911. The state’s first flag featured on one side a portrait of Michigan’s first governor, Stevens T. Mason. On the other side was the state coat of arms and “a soldier and a lady.” In 1865, the state flag changed to display the state coat of arms on one side and the United States coat of arms on the other side. Today’s Michigan flag is a field of blue with the state coat of arms at its centre.
In 1972, Public Act 165 defined a pledge of allegiance to the state flag: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of Michigan, and to the state for which it stands, 2 beautiful peninsulas united by a bridge of steel, where equal opportunity and justice to all is our ideal."
In 1972, Public Act 165 defined a pledge of allegiance to the state flag: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of Michigan, and to the state for which it stands, 2 beautiful peninsulas united by a bridge of steel, where equal opportunity and justice to all is our ideal."
Nickname: The Great Lakes State.
Capital: Lansing.
Constitution: The 26th State.
Statehood: January 26th 1837.
Motto: Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam, Circumspice - If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you
History:
About 15,000 Indians already lived in Michigan when the French began to explore the region during the 1600's. Britain won the Michigan region from France in a series of wars that ended in 1763. The area came under U.S. control following the American Revolution. (1775-1783)
Michigan belonged to three different territories before it became a state in 1837. By the late 1840's, mining was prospering in the state. The Soo Canal, completed in 1855, was built largely because of a need to ship ore. Timber production became important in Michigan after the American Civil War (1861-1865). Between 1870 and 1900, the state's population more than doubled.
Detroit became the centre of the U.S. car industry during the early 1900's. Michigan factories built many military products after the U.S. entered World War I in 1917. The state's entire car industry converted to war production during World War II (1939-1945). Nationwide recessions during the early 1970's and 1980's caused a major slump in the car industry. By the mid-1980's, improved car sales had reduced the state's unemployment.
Bird:
After the robin (Turdus migratorius) was favored in a Michigan Audubon Society contest to choose a state bird, the Michigan legislature made it official. Proclaiming the poll in which 200,000 votes were cast "widely and generally conducted," House Concurrent Resolution 30 of 1931 designated the robin as Michigan's state bird. Legislators called the robin "the best known and best loved of all the birds in the State of Michigan."
Coat of Arms:
At the top of the coat of arms, also adopted by Public Act 209 of 1911, is an eagle holding an olive branch and arrows. An elk and a moose support a shield displaying a man standing on a grassy peninsula. The following mottos appear on the coat of arms: E Pluribus Unum (From Many, One), Tuebor (I Will Defend) and Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice (If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You).
Economy:
Agriculture: Dairy products, cattle, vegetables, hogs, corn, nursery stock, soybeans.
Industry: Motor vehicles and parts, machinery, fabricated metal products, food processing, chemical products, mining, tourism.
Flower:
Apple Blossom -Pyrus Coronaria - In 1897 Michigan legislators, feeling that "a refined sentiment" called for the naming of a state flower, designated the apple blossom. Joint Resolution 10 of that year noted "one of the most fragrant and beautiful flowered species of apple, the pyrus coronaria, is native to our state." Legislators also proudly declared that "Michigan apples have gained a worldwide reputation." A century later, Michigan ranks second in the nation in apple production.
Origin of state's name:
Based on Chippewa Indian word "meicigama" meaning "great water" and refers to the Great Lakes.
Seal:
State Seal Adopted by Public Act 19 of 1963, the seal (not shown in the painting) is used on many official state documents. The words “The Great Seal of the State of Michigan, A.D. MDCCCXXXV” encircle the state coat of arms.
Tree:
The towering white pine (Pinus strobus) is a symbol of one of Michigan's greatest industries--lumbering. From 1870 to the early 1900s, Michigan led the nation in lumber production. During those years a transportation network and communities grew across the state to accommodate the lumber boom. Public Act 7 of 1955 designated the white pine as the state tree.
About 15,000 Indians already lived in Michigan when the French began to explore the region during the 1600's. Britain won the Michigan region from France in a series of wars that ended in 1763. The area came under U.S. control following the American Revolution. (1775-1783)
Michigan belonged to three different territories before it became a state in 1837. By the late 1840's, mining was prospering in the state. The Soo Canal, completed in 1855, was built largely because of a need to ship ore. Timber production became important in Michigan after the American Civil War (1861-1865). Between 1870 and 1900, the state's population more than doubled.
Detroit became the centre of the U.S. car industry during the early 1900's. Michigan factories built many military products after the U.S. entered World War I in 1917. The state's entire car industry converted to war production during World War II (1939-1945). Nationwide recessions during the early 1970's and 1980's caused a major slump in the car industry. By the mid-1980's, improved car sales had reduced the state's unemployment.
Bird:
After the robin (Turdus migratorius) was favored in a Michigan Audubon Society contest to choose a state bird, the Michigan legislature made it official. Proclaiming the poll in which 200,000 votes were cast "widely and generally conducted," House Concurrent Resolution 30 of 1931 designated the robin as Michigan's state bird. Legislators called the robin "the best known and best loved of all the birds in the State of Michigan."
Coat of Arms:
At the top of the coat of arms, also adopted by Public Act 209 of 1911, is an eagle holding an olive branch and arrows. An elk and a moose support a shield displaying a man standing on a grassy peninsula. The following mottos appear on the coat of arms: E Pluribus Unum (From Many, One), Tuebor (I Will Defend) and Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice (If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You).
Economy:
Agriculture: Dairy products, cattle, vegetables, hogs, corn, nursery stock, soybeans.
Industry: Motor vehicles and parts, machinery, fabricated metal products, food processing, chemical products, mining, tourism.
Flower:
Apple Blossom -Pyrus Coronaria - In 1897 Michigan legislators, feeling that "a refined sentiment" called for the naming of a state flower, designated the apple blossom. Joint Resolution 10 of that year noted "one of the most fragrant and beautiful flowered species of apple, the pyrus coronaria, is native to our state." Legislators also proudly declared that "Michigan apples have gained a worldwide reputation." A century later, Michigan ranks second in the nation in apple production.
Origin of state's name:
Based on Chippewa Indian word "meicigama" meaning "great water" and refers to the Great Lakes.
Seal:
State Seal Adopted by Public Act 19 of 1963, the seal (not shown in the painting) is used on many official state documents. The words “The Great Seal of the State of Michigan, A.D. MDCCCXXXV” encircle the state coat of arms.
Tree:
The towering white pine (Pinus strobus) is a symbol of one of Michigan's greatest industries--lumbering. From 1870 to the early 1900s, Michigan led the nation in lumber production. During those years a transportation network and communities grew across the state to accommodate the lumber boom. Public Act 7 of 1955 designated the white pine as the state tree.