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Michigan History
Michigan is a state with a lengthy history. It became a state of the union in 1837. Some of the major events involve the civil war, the underground railroad and Henry Ford. All of these events have shaped Michigan into the state is is today
First People
The first people arrived in 11,000 BC.When they arrived the Great Lakes were forming. About 7000 years later the archair people came and started to mine copper and make tools.
Explorers
Europeans explored Michigan in 1600. Etienne Brule was the first explorer to explore Michigan.They were the first people to explore the Great Lakes Huron,Erie,and Lake Superior. Also he explored Susquehanna river. He may have explored as far as the Chesapeake Bay. Tribes live in the superior upland and the central lowland. They also lived near the rivers Muskegon, Grand, St.Joseph,and Susquehanna.They lived in the area around 2500 BC. The tribes lived in dome shaped wigwams.
Underground Railroad
Michigan was a part of the Underground Railroad and they were against slavery. They would help slaves get on the Underground Railroad and escape.The Underground Railroad was a fleeing and hiding place for slaves.In 1832 Laura Haviland and Elizabeth Chandler formed the Anti Slavery Society.Later two black men took over the Underground Railroad and with at least another white man.
Civil War
During the Civil War 90000 Michiganians fought alongside with with 1500 African Americans. Annie Etheridge of Detroit served as a medic in the Civil War. Sarah E. Edmonds cut her hair and dressed as a man. She served for two years and then she got married.Soon after she left the army in fear that they might find out that she was a woman.
Henry Ford
At the beginning of the the twentieth century there were about 2.5 million people in Michigan .Something huge happened in 1908, Henry Ford invented the model t automobile. From 1900 and 1930 the population grew from 285,000 to 1,600,000. Los Angeles was the only city that grew faster than Detroit.Michigan's future held great promises.
Courts
Michigan's highest court is the Supreme Court and there are seven justices;they are elected for eight year terms.The justices elected one of their members to be the Chief Justice.
Local Goverment
Michigan has eighty three counties divided into townships.The board consists representatives from each part of the county.Officers include the County the Clerk,County Treasurer,Prosecuting Attorney,Register of Deeds and the Sheriff.Most michigan cities have a council manager.
government Legislative
Michigan has a thirty eight member Senate and a 110 member house.Senators serve for two terms.Legislative session begins on the second Wednesday of January. Michigan's highest court is the Supreme Court and there are seven justices;they are elected for eight year terms.The justices elected one of their members to be the Chief Justice.
Government exiecutive
Today the present governor is Rick Snyder and he is Republican party .The governor can serve for two terms.One term is four years.There has only been one female governor and here name is Jennifer Granholm.
Michigan's state flag has a red ribbon on the top that says “e pluribus unum,” which means outside .Right under it, it has an eagle holding arrows and an olive branch which means peace,courage and bravery On its left and right, there are two bucks and they are holding a blue shield that says “tuebor.”Tuebor means, I will defend .On the shield, it has a man near a river looking at the sun. Under the bucks, there is a white ribbon that says “si quaeris peninsulam amoenam,” that means if you seek a peninsula. Right below that white ribbon, there is another white ribbon that says “circumspice”. Around all of this there is a blue background
The seal has the exactly the same thing as the flag but it has a red border around it and it says “The great seal of the state of Michigan” and right under that it says
A.D MDCCCXXXV”.The man in the shield holding his right hand up means peace.The seal was adopted in 1845. The elk and moose holding the shield means “I will defend.”
Goverment
Conculsion
In conclusion, michigan has proven to have an interesting geography and history. It became a state soon before the Civil War and has many resources including its lakes and rivers. Several important people have been from Michigan including Henry Ford who made car making better. People from all over come to Michigan to experience it’s beautiful landscape, learn about its history and enjoy its culture.