Michigan Coat of Arms
History of the Michigan Coat of Arms
Michigan Coat of Arms
Both the Great Seal of Michigan and the Coat of Arms were adopted at the Constitutional Convention of 1835. Lewis Cass, Michigan’s second (non-acting) Territorial governor, created the original design.
The Coat of Arms is familiar to us because it is shown on Michigan’s state flag. This first occurred in 1837. From that time, numerous flags were in use bearing the State Coat of Arms, with various designs and emblems. In 1865, an official Michigan flag was adopted with the State Coat of Arms on a field of blue.
Michigan’s current Coat of Arms was adopted by the Legislature in 1911. (MCL 2.21) It is identical to the Great Seal of Michigan with the legend or circle, The Great Seal of the State of Michigan, A.D. MDCCCXXXV, omitted.
Unlike the Great Seal, the Coat of Arms may be printed on documents, stationery, or ornaments with no design or words and disconnected with any advertisement. (MCL 750.247) However, a person who improperly exhibits and displays the Coat of Arms is guilty of a misdemeanor. (MCL 750.245)
Source: Michigan Department of State
Michigan Act 209 or 1911
COAT-OF-ARMS AND FLAG (EXCERPT)
2.21 State coat-of-arms; adoption.
Sec. 1.The device and inscriptions of the great seal of the state of Michigan, Anno Domini 1835, presented by Lewis Cass to the forthcoming state, through the constitutional convention and adopted June 2, 1835, and filed with the secretary of the territory, June 24, 1835, and illustrated by a seal with said device and inscriptions attached to a state document, bearing date 1838, and to the constitution of 1850 received and filed in the office of the secretary of state, August 15, 1850, and now on file in said office, omitting the legend “The great seal of the state of Michigan, Anno Domini 1835,” is hereby adopted as the coat-of-arms of the state.
History: 1911, Act 209, Eff. Aug. 1, 1911 ;– CL 1915, 1098 ;– CL 1929, 134 ;– CL 1948, 2.21
Compiler’s Notes: For constitutional provision as to great seal of the state of Michigan referred to in this section, see now Const. 1963, Art. III, ยง 3.
Source: Michigan Legislature
Citation styles
- APA style
- Michigan Coat of Arms. (2010, July 3). In State Reports by ClassBrain. Retrieved 17:46, May 18, 2012, from http://www.statereports.us/2010/07/michigan-coat-arms/
- MLA style
- Cynthia Kirkeby, “Michigan Coat of Arms.” State Reports by ClassBrain. 3 July 2010, 13:08 UTC. . 18 May 2012 <http://www.statereports.us/2010/07/michigan-coat-arms/>.
- MHRA style
- Cynthia Kirkeby, 'Michigan Coat of Arms', State Reports by ClassBrain, 3 July 2010, 13:08 UTC, <http://www.statereports.us/2010/07/michigan-coat-arms/> [accessed 18 May 2012]
- The Chicago Manual of Style
- Cynthia Kirkeby, “Michigan Coat of Arms.” State Reports by ClassBrain, http://www.statereports.us/2010/07/michigan-coat-arms/ [accessed May 18, 2012].
- CBE/CSE style
- Cynthia Kirkeby, Michigan Coat of Arms [Internet]. State Reports by ClassBrain; 2010 July 3, 13:08 UTC [cited 2012 May 18]. Available from: http://www.statereports.us/2010/07/michigan-coat-arms/.
- Bluebook style
- Michigan Coat of Arms, http://www.statereports.us/2010/07/michigan-coat-arms/ (last visited May. 18, 2012).
- AMA style
- Cynthia Kirkeby, Michigan Coat of Arms. State Reports by ClassBrain. July 3, 2010, 13:08 UTC. Available at: http://www.statereports.us/2010/07/michigan-coat-arms/. Accessed May 18, 2012.