State Flag & Coat of Arms Official The present flag—Michigan’s third since becom- MICHIGAN’S ing a state in 1837—was adopted in 1911. State Magazines? The state’s

URIBUS U E PL NUM first flag featured a portrait of TUEBOR Michigan’s first State governor, Stevens

S M I Q NA UAER AME IS PENINSULAM T. Mason, on one C IRCUMSPICE side. On the Symbols 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 "Every issue is filled one side and the United States coat of arms with articles that make on the other side. Today’s Michigan flag me proud to be from is a field of blue with the state coat of arms Michigan. A great at its center. magazine about a At the top of the coat of arms, also adopt- great state!" ed in 1911, is an eagle holding an olive –E. D., Cheboygan branch and arrows. An elk and a moose sup- WILLIE port a shield displaying a man standing on a ee for yourself why WOLVERINE grassy peninsula. The following mottos appear on the coat of arms: E Pluribus Unum (From SMichigan History is the Many, One), Tuebor (I Will Defend) and Si nation’s most popular state his- Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice tory magazine, or get to know (If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You). Willie Wolverine in Michigan PRESENTED BY History for Kids. Michigan’s State Symbols is published by Michigan History magazine, which is a part of the Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of Michigan History History, Arts and Libraries. Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Call toll free Michigan, the Department of History Arts and Libraries also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Library of Michigan, the magazine Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs. (800) 366-3703 or visit our Web site at URIBUS U Artwork by Carolyn Damstra E PL NUM © Michigan History magazine, 2002 www.michiganhistorymagazine.com TUEBOR MHM-100 (5/02)

S M I Q NA UAER AME IS PENINSULAM

C IRCUMSPICE o you call yourself a Michigander or a Michiganian? State Tree Both words mean you are from Michigan and proud of it. In 1955, the towering WHITE PINE (Pinus strobus) was designated the You can also be proud of the official state symbols that state tree. It was chosen as a symbol of represent the Great Lakes State in a colorful and special way. one of Michigan’s greatest industries. D From 1870 to the early 1900s, Michigan led the nation in lumber production. State Flower State Stone In 1897, the APPLE BLOSSOM In 1965, the PETOSKEY State Gem (Pyrus coronaria) was designated STONE (Hexagonaria pericarnata) In 1972, CHLORASTROLITE (literally “green the state flower. Sponsors noted it was adopted as the state stone. The Petoskey star stone”) was adopted as the state gem. was “one of the most fragrant and beautiful stone is fossilized coral that existed in the north- Known as the Isle Royale flowered species of apple.” It is native to ern Lower Peninsula about 350 million years ago. greenstone, Chlorastrolite the state. ranges in color from yellow- State Fish green to almost black. It is prim- State Bird In 1965, the TROUT was designated as arily found in the Upper Peninsula. In 1931, the AMERICAN the state fish. In 1988, the ROBIN (Turdus migratorius) Michigan legislature specified State Wildflower was chosen the state bird. the BROOK TROUT (Salvelinus fonti- In 1998, the DWARF LAKE IRIS It had been favored by the Michigan Audubon nalis) as the state fish. The brook trout is native (Iris lacustris) was designated as the Society. Sponsors called the robin “the best- to Michigan and found throughout the state. state wildflower. Native to the state, known and best-loved of all the birds in the the endangered flower grows along state of Michigan.” State Reptile the northern shorelines of Lakes Michigan In 1995, the PAINTED TURTLE and Huron. State Soil (Chysemys picta) was chosen as In 1990, KALKASKA the state reptile after a group of Niles fifth State Game Mammal SAND was chosen as the graders discovered that Michigan did not have In 1997, the WHITE-TAILED DEER state soil. First identified as a state reptile. (Odocoileus virginianus) was desig- a soil type in 1927, nated the state game mammal after Kalkaska sand ranges in color from black to State Fossil the successful lobbying efforts of a yellowish brown. It is one of more than 500 In 2002, the MASTODON (Mammut group of Zeeland fourth graders. soils found in the state. Unique to Michigan, americanum) became the state fossil. Found in every Michigan county, the Kalkaska sand covers nearly a million acres in Fossils of the prehistoric mammal have been white-tailed deer is an important natural and 29 Upper and Lower Peninsula counties. found in more than 250 locations in the state. economic resource.