Flag of Michigan facts for kids
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| Use | Civil and state flag    |
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| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | August 1, 1911 |
| Design | A state coat of arms on a blue field. |
Variant flag of State of Michigan
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| Name | Flag of the governor of Michigan |
| Use | Flag of the governor of Michigan |
| Adopted | August 1, 1911 |
| Design | Coat of arms of Michigan on a white field |
The flag of the state of Michigan is a special symbol that shows what Michigan is all about. It has a blue background with Michigan's official coat of arms in the middle. The governor of Michigan has a slightly different flag, which has a white background instead of blue. Michigan even has an official flag month, from June 14 to July 14, to celebrate its flag!
Contents
What Does the Michigan Flag Look Like?
The main part of the flag is the state coat of arms. This design shows a blue shield. On the shield, you can see the sun rising over a lake and a piece of land that sticks out into the water, called a peninsula. There is also a man with one hand raised, which means peace. He holds a long gun, showing the fight to protect the state and country.
Animals on the Flag
Two large animals, an elk and a moose, stand on either side of the shield. These animals are important to Michigan's wildlife. Above the shield, a bald eagle represents the United States. Michigan became a state from the Northwest Territory, and the eagle reminds us of this connection.
Latin Mottos and Their Meanings
The flag also has three Latin sayings, called mottos. Each motto has a special meaning:
- On a red ribbon at the top: E Pluribus Unum means "Out of many, one." This is also a motto of the United States.
- On the light blue shield: Tuebor means "I will defend." This shows Michigan's strength.
- On a white ribbon at the bottom: Si Quæris Peninsulam Amœnam Circumspice means "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." This is Michigan's official state motto, inviting people to enjoy its beautiful land.
Michigan's flag is one of nine U.S. state flags that feature an eagle. Other states with an eagle on their flag include Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming.
History of the Michigan Flag
The flag we see today was officially adopted in 1911. It is actually the third state flag Michigan has had.
Earlier Michigan Flags
The very first Michigan flag was adopted a long time ago. It showed a picture of Michigan's first governor, Stevens T. Mason, on one side. On the other side was the state coat of arms. Sadly, this first flag is now lost, and no one knows what it looked like.
The second flag was adopted in 1865. This flag had the state coat of arms on one side. On the other side, it showed the coat of arms of the United States.
Ideas for a New Flag
Some people think Michigan's flag could be better. In 2001, a group called the North American Vexillological Association looked at many state flags. They gave Michigan's flag a low score. Because of this, some leaders have tried to change the flag.
In 2016, a state senator named Steven Bieda suggested creating a special group. This group would ask people to design a new flag. However, this idea did not pass. In 2021, another leader, Representative Andrea Schroeder, suggested the same idea. But nothing happened with that plan either. In 2023, Representative Phil Skaggs also proposed a bill to redesign the flag, but no action has been taken on it since.
Michigan's Flag Pledge
Michigan has its own special pledge of allegiance to its state flag. Harold G. Coburn wrote this pledge, and it became official in 1972.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of Michigan, and to the state for which it stands, two beautiful peninsulas united by a bridge of steel, where equal opportunity and justice to all is our ideal.
See also
In Spanish: Bandera de Míchigan para niños
- Flags of governors of the U.S. states
- State of Michigan
- List of Michigan state symbols
- Great Seal of the State of Michigan
- List of Michigan state symbols
