Michigan Could Have A New State Flag Very Soon

Michigan has a pretty iconic state flag. It has lots of words I don't know the meaning of, some fun animals, and a man standing with his rifle next to a river with a pretty sunset in the background. This has been our state flag since 1865 and is generally well-liked.

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So it's pretty surprising that a new bill has been introduced to create a new state flag, as soon as 2026.

Flag History

Michigan has been a state since 1837, but an official Michigan flag was not adopted until 1865. Until 1865, the state used multiple flags with the Coat of Arms design on them. The official flag features Michigan's Coat of Arms displayed on a blue background.

New Flag Bill

Representative Phill Skaggs introduced HB 6190, which aims to establish a new state flag design beginning January 1st, 2026. Art professionals, historians, individuals from universities around the state, and individuals appointed by state reps.

READ MORE: Revisiting Michigan’s Snowstorms That Made History |

The contest would run from January 26th to July 26th, with a winner announced on September 26th. It seems that Michigan is on a bit of a contest kick after the successful "I Voted" sticker contest.

Breaking Down The Flag

The State of Michigan provides a full breakdown of the history of the Great Seal, but here are the quick facts:

• an American eagle holding three arrows and an olive branch with 13 olives, showing we are ready to defend our principles, while also "extending an olive branch" to make peace.
• "E Plurbis Unum" stands for "From many, one"
• "Tuebor" means "I will defend"
• "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice" means, "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you", referring to our two different

The bill has been sent to the Committee on Government Operations for review and possible approval. You can view all the bill details here.