Month: January 2012

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Michigan’s 175th Birthday

January 26th is Michigan’s 175th birthday! On January 26, 1837 President Andrew Jackson signed a bill declaring Michigan the 26th state of the union.
In honor of this special occasion, here are some facts about this great state from www.michigan.gov.

State Name: Michigan
Name Origin: Derived from the Indian word Michigama, meaning great or large lake.
Nickname: Wolverine State
Statehood: Jan. 26, 1837 (26th)
Capital: Lansing, since 1847; prior to that, Detroit.
State Motto: Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice, which translates, “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.”
Flower: Apple Blossom
Bird: Robin
Tree: White Pine
Stone: Petoskey Stone
Gem: Chlorastrolite
Fish: Brook Trout
Soil: Kalkaska Soil Series
Reptile: Painted Turtle
Game Mammal: White-tailed Deer
Wildflower: Dwarf Lake Iris
Fossil: Mastodon

I knew we had a state flower, tree, reptile, etc. But, I did not know we had a state soil! You learn something new everyday!

To celebrate Michigan’s 175th birthday, look around you and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us all! Turn your porch lights on Thursday night so Michigan shines brightly for all to see!

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Best of 2011 Photo Contest

The Michigan is Amazing Facebook fan page has a great fan base with many great photographers that share photos from all over the state. There are so many great photos that have been submitted throughout the year that yesterday I opened a Best of 2011 photo contest. There are over 50 amazing photos of this great state in the contest, but there really could have been hundreds of photos included!

If you haven’t already, visit the fan page and browse through the amazing photos from all over Michigan. Voting will be open through Friday, January 13. The winner of the photo contest will receive a Michigan-themed picture frame from a very talented Michigan artist, Scott Snow of Michigan in Metal.