Saturday 9 July 2016

Michigan Flag And Its History

By Joshua Memphis


Michigan, the Wolverine State, joined the union in 1837. Located in the center of the Great Lakes, Michigan is divided into two land masses known as the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The Mackinac Bridge, which connects Michigan's upper peninsula to the rest of the state, spans five miles and is one of the world's longest suspension bridges.

After the Revolutionary War, the U.S. acquired most of the region, which remained the scene of constant conflict between the British and U.S. forces and their respective Indian allies through the War of 1812.

The current flag of Michigan was adopted on Aug. 1, 1911. The coat of arms first appeared on the flag in 1837; however, the original state flag wasn't officially adopted until 1865. The 1865 flag included the coat of arms on a blue base on the front of the flag and on the reverse side it showed the United States coat of arms. Michigan is the 26th state of the union, gaining statehood on Jan. 26, 1837.

Featuring on the shield is a man, with a gun in one hand and the other raised in a manner of greeting. This action expresses the man's readiness to fight for and defend his state. The moose and the elk facing each other, on either side of the shield, represent the fauna of Michigan. Below these 2 creatures are the state motto written on a white ribbon. It reads "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice", meaning "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you". The shield also bears the inscription, "TUEBOR", which means "I will defend". This is to imply the status of Michigan as a frontier state.

The eagle is America's national bird and represents the ultimate authority and jurisdiction of the United States, over Michigan. There are three arrows and an olive branch with 13 olives on it. The arrows symbolize the nation's readiness to defend its principles.

The Michigan flag has much meaning within its coat of arms. The man on the shield has his hand raised in a greeting of friendship while the rifle he holds represents the right to fight for the state. The elk and moose symbolize the state of Michigan while the eagle embodies the nation as a whole. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Michigan Flag for the future.




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