Summer/Fall Series: 50 States - Michigan

MICHIGAN

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Home to the nation's third oldest European settlement—Sault Ste. Marie—Michigan is our 26th state.  Statehood was granted on January 26, 1837.  The word Michigan comes from a Chippewa word, "meicigama," which means "large lake."  The postal abbreviation is MI.  (Remember that Maine is ME, Maryland is MD, and Massachusetts is MA.)

Michigan's state motto is another long one: Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circum spice.  It means "if you are seeking an amenable peninsula, look around you."  There is both an upper and a lower peninsula in this state.

The capital of Michigan is Lansing.  It became the capital in 1847 and is named for an area of New York from which the settlers to Lansing, Michigan, came.  Detroit was the capital before that from 1805 to 1847.  Detroit comes from the French word for "strait."

Battle Creek, Michigan, is the Cereal Capital of the World because the Kellogg Company is located there.  Look at any box of Kellogg's cereal you may have in your pantry, and you'll see Battle Creek on it.  Detroit is where Vernor's ginger ale is made.  It was the first soda pop in the U.S. and was created in 1862 by pharmacist James Vernor.  Detroit also the center of the auto industry in the U.S.  General Motors is still headquartered there.  Motown Records began in Detroit, and Faygo Beverages, Inc., was founded here in 1907.  Sault Ste. Marie, the third oldest European settlement, was founded in 1668 by Father Jacques Marquette.

The major industries here continue to include car manufacturing and farming.  Timber and fishing add to the state's economy, too.

Michigan has the longest shoreline along freshwater on the globe, more than 3,100 miles.  It also touches four of the five Great Lakes.  There is always something to do in Michigan with all of the state parks and recreational areas.  Visitors can tour Mackinac Island which is home to the historic Grand Hotel.  The Henry Ford Museum is located in Dearborn, and there are many zoos and amusement parks, as well as museums.

This state has several nicknames such as "The Great Lake State" and "Wolverine State."  However, there are no more wolverines located in Michigan.  The state bird is the Robin, and the state mammal is the white-tailed deer.  The painted turtle is the state reptile, and the brook trout is the state fish.

The apple blossom is the state flower, and the Dwarf Lake iris is the state wildflower.  The state tree is the white pine.

The Michigan state flag was adopted in 1911.

On the blue background stands an elk and a moose which flank a blue shield with the word, "TUEBOR," on it which means "I will defend."  A man with his hand raised and a gun in the other hand stands on the shore as the sun either sets or rises behind him is seen in the shield.  The state motto lies below shield, and the United States motto, "E pluribus unum," is above it.  An eagle with an olive branch and 3 arrows sits between the shield and the U.S. motto.

People who live in Michigan are called Michiganders, Michiganians, and Michiganites.  Some famous people born here include director/producer Francis Ford Coppola; Henry Ford; founder of Motown Records, Barry Gordy, Jr.; director/producer John Hughes; Magic Johnson; author of the Left Behind series, Tim Lahaye; W.K. Kellogg; actor Taylor Lautner; Charles Lindbergh; Lee Majors of "The Six Million Dollar Man" fame; co-founder of Google Larry Page; boxer Sugar Ray Robinson; Mitt Romney; Steven Seagal; and tennis star Serena Williams.

Enjoy some Michigan games.

The following are some Michigan resources that can be found at christianbook.com.  I am an affiliate with christianbook.com, so if you purchase through my blog I will receive a commission.

Michigan By Willis Dunbar / Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Covering the entire scope of the Wolverine State's historical record - from the time humankind first arrived in the area around 9,000 B.C. right up to the present gubernatorial administration - this new edition of Michigan now also examines Michigan's colorful history from 1980 to 1994.  **This may not agree with the timeline of a six-day creation view of history.

The Mystery on the Great Lakes: Michigan* Superior* Huron* Ontario* Erie By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International

Michigan Native Peoples By Marcia Schonberg / Heinemann Raintree

All Around Michigan: Regions And Resources By Alexandra Fix / Heinemann Raintree This book contains all kinds of fun and fascinating facts about the regions of Michigan and their valuable resources. You'll find colorful maps that help you locate Michigan's regions and understand their features. You will learn about the many natural and man-made resources of the state and how they affect its economy.

People Of Michigan By Marcia Schonberg / Heinemann Raintree

Danger on the Great Lakes - eBook By Carolyn Keene / Aladdin

Great Lakes Indians: A Pictorial Guide - eBook By William J. Kubiak / Baker Show your students what America looked like before it was settled by the pioneers . . . when it was the dominion of the North American Indians. Packed with 139 sketches and paintings, Kubiak's fascinating resource features valuable cultural and historical information about 25 tribes of Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan stock. 224 pages, softcover from Baker.

Henry Ford By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Correlated to state and national standards, this series teaches students about important people, places, and events in history. Broken down into short, easy to read passages reinforced by simple activities, each reader includes a glossary, interesting facts, reading, puzzles, highlights of achievements, sequencing of important events, and simple math activities. 12 pages each. Grades K-4.

Eat My Dust! Henry Ford's First Race By Monica Kulling / Random House, Inc It's 1901, and Henry Ford wants to build a car that everyone can own. But first he needs the money to produce it. How will he get it? He enters a car race, of course! Readers will love this fast-paced, fact-based story! For ages 6-8.

Henry Ford: Young Man with Ideas By Hazel B. Aird, Wallace Wood(ILLUS) & Catherine Ruddiman / Aladdin

Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan By Melanie Dobson / Summerside Press Though Elena Bissett's once-wealthy family is determined to find her a rich suitor, she'd rather secretly meet a fisherman named Chase at the lighthouse---where they work to solve a decades-old mystery. But when she's forced to meet elusive millionaire Chester Darrington, her two worlds collide. Must she choose between her heart and her family's future? 320 pages, softcover from Summerside.

The Grand Hotel - eBook By Mary Davis / Barbour Publishing A family legend brings Aimee Mikkelson to the Grand Hotel on Michigan's Mackinac Island. As she seeks to uncover a hidden inheritance, Aimee's carefree nature hits a wall of organization - Mr. Dillon Thurough. Now her mission is two-fold: Recover the treasure and help Dillon break out of his routine. Dillon Thurough hates surprises. As one of the Grand Hotel's assistant managers, he has a one-, five-, and ten-year plan, and the free-spirited Ms. Mikkelson doesn't fit into any of them. Yet somehow, her ways are getting to him. As they work together to follow the antiquated clues, could Aimee and Dillon also be following the Lord's map to romance?