Michigan: The Flag¹
On Michigan's flag is the state Coat of Arms. At the top, you'll find the words, E Pluribus Unum. It's kind of cool because this is the nation's motto as well. It means "From many, One." The Michigan Coat of Arms is forever united with our Nation, not only as a State but also on our flag.
On the shield is written the word Tuebor which means "I will defend" which refers to the frontier position Michigan holds. Lastly, is the state motto. Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam, Circumspice, which means "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.²" (A side note. This motto was written in 1835. The Upper Peninsula was just beginning to be discovered. In my mind, the motto should read If you seek pleasant peninsulas look about you. But that's just me.)
I started looking into the history of Michigan but was unsure of where to actually start. After trying several different Michigan topics I finally decided that the best place to start is with the flag as it represents those who sacrificed their lives to defend the frontier of the land in which we now call home.
Looking back at Michigan's first state flag, historians refer to it as the Brady Flag because it's the first flag to have the Michigan coat of arms on it. Michigan's Adjutant General John Robertson wrote⁵ "It appears that, on the 22nd of February, 1837, Stevens T Mason, first Governor of Michigan, presented to the 'Brady Guard' of Detroit, then in command of Capt. Isaac S. Rowland, a Flag, now in possession of the State, with a Brady guard and a lady, and on the reverse, his own portrait. This was without a doubt the first Flag bearing the State coat of arms and was carried by the first uniformed company of militia in the State, having been organized April 13, 1836..."
The above image is what remains of the Brady Flag. After 1911 the flag had been lost until 2003 when a piece of silk resurfaced among some papers belonging to the family of the Lawton T Hermans, Legislator, and biographer of Mason, Lawton T. Hermans. Governor Mason's image is clearly visible in the above photo, as well as the words along the bottom of the flag. "Organized Brady Guard, May 1836." Today you can find the first flag stored with the Capitol Battle Flag Collection in the Michigan Historical Museum.
In 1911 Act 209⁶ was passed to determine the regulations surrounding the flag for its use and protection. When they finished, the State Legislature issued this statement: "The State Flag shall be blue charged with the arms of the state."⁶
Michigan's flag is a symbol that stands for honor, strength, and freedom. Its very existence is the result of the men who fought and died defending the frontier of Michigan in wars that resulted in a divided nation becoming One. I think this sums up what not only our flag represents but what it stands for and the respect it and all who fought for it deserve. To all those who've sacrificed for not only the land I live in but the state as well I say thank you. Wherever you are.
The flag in that flies today in Lansing is not the same one that flew when Michigan was inducted into the Union in 1837. Back then flags as well as banners were used by everyone from everywhere for everything. Politics, war, and countries³; they were as popular then as they are now. So, in order to truly understand the history behind Michigan's flag, the best place to start is back in 1835. Tuesday, June 2nd to be exact. It was on this day that the Constitutional Congress met and approved the Michigan coat of arms,⁴ created by Lewis Cass, non-acting Governor of the Michigan Territory. When Lewis Cass created the Michigan coat of arms, he included an elk, a moose, and a bald eagle The elk and moose, because they are native to Michigan and the bald eagle as a representation of the United States.
Looking back at Michigan's first state flag, historians refer to it as the Brady Flag because it's the first flag to have the Michigan coat of arms on it. Michigan's Adjutant General John Robertson wrote⁵ "It appears that, on the 22nd of February, 1837, Stevens T Mason, first Governor of Michigan, presented to the 'Brady Guard' of Detroit, then in command of Capt. Isaac S. Rowland, a Flag, now in possession of the State, with a Brady guard and a lady, and on the reverse, his own portrait. This was without a doubt the first Flag bearing the State coat of arms and was carried by the first uniformed company of militia in the State, having been organized April 13, 1836..."
The above photo shows a soldier, the Michigan coat of arms, and possibly something resembling clothing, probably a portion of the lady.
Images Provided By Michigan State Capitol Archive
To say that there was a second "official" version of Michigan's flag submitted in 1865 would be a gross understatement. As was the case before 1837, there were numerous flags and banners being flown, this time though they all bore the Michigan coat of arms.
In 1865 John Robertson recommended the new Offical State flag and Governor Henry H. Crappo approved it. The Michigan coat of arms was on one side and the National arms on the other. Now it's recognized as the standard of Michigan and is carried by the Michigan regiments, side by side with the stars and stripes.
In 1865 John Robertson recommended the new Offical State flag and Governor Henry H. Crappo approved it. The Michigan coat of arms was on one side and the National arms on the other. Now it's recognized as the standard of Michigan and is carried by the Michigan regiments, side by side with the stars and stripes.
In 1911 Act 209⁶ was passed to determine the regulations surrounding the flag for its use and protection. When they finished, the State Legislature issued this statement: "The State Flag shall be blue charged with the arms of the state."⁶
Michigan's flag is a symbol that stands for honor, strength, and freedom. Its very existence is the result of the men who fought and died defending the frontier of Michigan in wars that resulted in a divided nation becoming One. I think this sums up what not only our flag represents but what it stands for and the respect it and all who fought for it deserve. To all those who've sacrificed for not only the land I live in but the state as well I say thank you. Wherever you are.
"Stand by the flag, on land, and ocean billow
By it, your fathers stood, unmoved and true
Living, defended, dying from their pillow
With their last blessing passed it on to you."
John Robertson
Flags of Michigan
Special thanks to Valerie R. Marvin, Historian & Curator at the Michigan State Capitol Archive and Janice Murphy at the Library of Michigan. Your help was invaluable to my research and greatly appreciated. Last but certainly not least to my mom for suggesting that I find that first flag. As a result, I've learned more than I ever thought I would have about the history of the state and the above flag would have never been seen. Thanks Mom! :-)
Posts
