The 26th state admitted to the US was Michigan on January 26,1837. It is also known as the Mitten State, the Wolverine State, and the Great Lakes State. There are over 3,000 miles of shoreline with 11,000 inland lakes, and millions of acres of forest cover in Michigan. For this reason, Michigan is the only place in the entire world with a floating post office that delivers mail to ships, and has been operating for over 125 years. Michigan is the home of the largest limestone quarry on the Earth. The state capitol is Lansing, the state bird is the American Robin, the state flower is the Apple Blossom, and the state tree is the Eastern White Pine.
For over 12,000 years, Indigenous peoples have inhabited Michigan. Michigan historically was home to many different tribes. Their three largest tribes are the Ojibwe (called the Chippewa), the Odawa (called the Ottowa), and the Potawatomi (called the Bode'wadmi). Together, they are considered the "original people" who created a partnership called the "Three Fires". The Ojibwe were the "keepers of the ceremonies and songs", the Odawaa were the "keepers of the trade, and the Potawakomi were the "keepers of the fire". They lived in villages together mainly in the Upper Peninsula, and shared a common language, customs, and beliefs. In 1612, the Frenchman named Samuel de Champlain visited Michigan and explored the Great Lakes, forging alliances and creating some conflict among the tribes. Then came the British, who brought about great changes on the interactions with the Indigenous. The French worked with the tribes, but the British fought them, oftentimes imposing laws and beliefs that were unfavorable. The French and British animosities ended in the French and Indian War. None of this was in Michigan, but it did affect the state by the French surrendering Detroit to the British for a century and a half rule in Michigan. The British remained in control of Michigan, conducting tribal raids on settlements. Governer Henry Hamilton was known as the "hair-buyer, paying for scalps of the Natives that were killed and brought to Detroit. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris brought an end to the American Revolution, creating an international boundary for the US that included Michigan. After the British-backed Indians were defeated at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, and Jay's Treaty was signed in 1794, the British control of Michigan ended. The American flag flew over Detroit on July 11, 1796. Michigan became a separate territory in 1805, and Detroit became the capitol because it was where most of the people lived. In 1807, a treated was negotiated with the Native Americans that involved the southeastern part of the state. The British forces of Native Americans threatened their freedom and the War of 1812 began. Soon after, the British were back in control of the state. Natives were forced to relinquish their property rights, and the pioneer era began. By the 1830's, "Michigan Fever" had begun and people were rushing to migrate to Michigan. It was said to have grown faster than any other part of the country, from 8,896 people in 1820 to 212,267 people in 1840. By 1835, Michigan had drafted a constitution, and after clearing a boundary dispute with Ohio, it was accepted into statehood at the "Frostbitten Convention" in Ann Arbor in 1837.
Today, Michigan is considered a home to 12 federally recognized tribes of Native Americans under federal law and treaties. The largest tribe is the Sault Tribe of Chippewa, outnumbering the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians by ten to one.
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