Michigan Leads the Nation in the Oddest Category – Longest State Motto
It might not be the first thing organizers thought of when they decided to become a state and join the union, but as some point someone had to think up a state's motto.
Some states when basic and let one word sum up the entirety of the state's ideals. Wisconsin, for example when with "Forward." Pretty straight forward. Similarly, New York hit on the Latin phrase Excelsior meaning "Ever Upward." Texas hit with "Friendship," Utah with "Industry" while California went with Eureka - "I found it."
Michigan's state motto - it's there on the state's coat of arms which is part of the state's flag. It's not the national motto, E Pluribus Unum or Tuebor (I will Defend). Rather it's that long Latin phrase at the bottom. Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice or at young Michiganders learn in school, "If You Seek at Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You."
At 9 words, a national leader as other than Michigan, only Missouri (Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law) and Hawaii (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness) have mottos 9 words or longer.
Michigan's however, unlike others - admittingly this is subjective - is the most chill state motto.
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A map of each state's motto was recently shared to Reddit. Many were encountering Michigan's state motto for the first time and liking what they saw.
Michigan: If you’re looking for a cool peninsula, you’ve found it bro.
Not just one, either. They’ve got two peninsulas. TWO ****ING PENINSULAS. Wild world out there
Non native Michigander here.... I am dumb founded and proud! I was expecting some dumb... wolverine thing or land of lakes whatever. Boom! Poetry
Also a non-native Michigander, and I literally just sent this to my husband saying it’s a hell of a motto and I... love it.
Be proud, Michiganders and your pleasant peninsulas, you're the envy of the US when it comes to your motto.
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Gallery Credit: McConnell Adams TSM Lansing