| The Michigan State Bird is the American Robin. |
| The Michigan State Flower is the Apple Blossom. |
The Michigan State Flag has three mottoes written in Latin:
On a red ribbon - "One Nation Made Up of Many States"
On a blue shield - "I will Defend"
On a white ribbon - "If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look Around"
On the blue shield the sun rises over a lake and peninsula, a man with raised a hand and holding a gun represents peace and the ability to defend his rights. The elk and moose are symbols of Michigan. The eagle represents the United States of America. The Michigan State Flag was adopted in 1911. |
| Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of streams. |
| The population of Michigan was estimate in 2003 to be 10,079,985 people. |
| The Population of the USA is currently estimated at 295,544,122 people. |
| Michigan was the first state to guarantee every child the right to tax-paid high school education. |
| The Detroit Zoo was the first zoo in America to feature cageless, open-exhibits that allowed the animals more freedom to roam. |
| Michigan was the first state to provide in its Constitution for the establishment of public libraries. |
| The name, "Michigan" is based on Chippewa Indian word "meicigama" meaning "great water" and refers to the Great Lakes. |
| Michigan has more shoreline than any other state except Alaska. |
| Although Michigan is often called the "Wolverine State" there are unfortunately no longer any wolverines in Michigan. |
| In 1817 the University of Michigan was the first university established by any of the states. Originally named Cathelepistemian and located in Detroit the name was changed in 1821. The university moved to Ann Arbor in 1841. |
| The painted turtle is Michigan's state reptile. |
| Michigan is the only place in the world with a floating post office. The J.W. Westcott II is the only boat in the world that delivers mail to ships while they are still underway. They have been operating for 125 years. |
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Sources of Information:
Statutes of Michigan; Michigan Government Code; US Census Bureau |
