The Flag of the State of Michigan depicts the state's coat-of-arms on a dark blue field, as set forth by Michigan state law.
The present flag, adopted in 1911, is the third state flag. The first flag featured a portrait of Michigan's first governor, Stevens T. Mason,
on one side and the state coat of arms and "a soldier and a lady" on the other side. The second flag, adopted in 1865, displayed the state
coat of arms on one side and the United States coat of arms on the other.
The state coat of arms depicts a light blue shield, upon which the sun rises over a lake and peninsula, and a man with raised hand and
holding a long gun representing peace and the ability to defend his rights. The elk and moose depict great animals of Michigan, while
the bald eagle represents the United States.
The design features three Latin mottos. From top-to-bottom they are:
On red ribbon: E Pluribus Unum, "Out of many, one", a motto of the United States
On light blue shield: Tuebor, "I will defend"
On white ribbon: Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice,
"If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you" (the official state motto)
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