Si Quæris Peninsulam Amœnam CircumspiceOne hundred eighty-three years ago to the day, 26 January 1837, Michigan was admitted into the Union as the twenty-sixth state of these United States of America. Under the protocols of the Missouri Compromise of 1820, Michigan's admission as a free state balanced Arkansas's 1836 admission as the slave state. The Michigan Territory's state constitution was approved by a convention in 1835, but Congressional approval was delayed until after the resolution of a border dispute with the State of Ohio (admitted 1803), which saw the "Toledo Strip" awarded to Ohio & what is now called the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) given to Michigan as compensation.
("If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you")
Michigan is unique among the several states in being composed of two peninsulas. In addition to Michigan being surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, there are almost sixty-five thousand lakes & ponds within these pleasant peninsulas; one is never more than six miles from a natural water source (a lake, river, or spring) nor more than eighty-five miles from a Great Lake. The name Michigan originates in an Ojibwe language word, mishigamaa, usually translated as "large water."
Michigan was admitted to the Union, 26 January 1837, one hundred eighty-two years ago today.
TueborBonus! Song of Michigan's Statehood
("I will defend")
Sufjan Stevens, "The Upper Peninsula" from Sufjan Stevens Presents… Greetings from Michigan, the Great Lake State (Michigan Papa Wolverine)
The Wayback Machine Tour of Michigan's Statehood
182 Years—2019
181 Years—2018
180 Years—2017
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