New York recognized the beaver as its state animal in 1975 due to its historical importance in attracting explorers. Beavers can grow up to 50 pounds and are known to reconfigure habitats, creating both positive and negative consequences. The beaver skin trade nearly led to their extinction, but they were reintroduced and protected. New York […]
The peony is the state flower of Indiana, replacing the zinnia in 1957. It comes in various shades and is widely grown throughout the state. Some criticize it for not being native to the area. Peonies are commonly used in Memorial Day arrangements and are a traditional symbol of wealth and honor in Chinese culture. […]
The Tennessee state flag, designed by LeRoy Reeves, features three white stars in a blue circle with white rings on a red background. The stars represent the state’s three geographic regions, and the colors symbolize loyalty to both the United States and Tennessee. The myth that the stars represent Tennessee as the third state admitted […]
Kansas’ state motto, “Ad astra per aspera,” means “to the stars through hardship” and reflects the state’s hardworking spirit. It was created by John J. Ingalls, a Massachusetts antislavery activist, and appears on the state’s great seal alongside other symbols of Kansas’ history. The phrase has origins in Roman poetry and has been used as […]
The California state seal was designed by Robert S. Garnett, a US Army officer, and introduced by Caleb Lyon due to political tensions. The design incorporates symbols representing California’s history and strengths, including a grizzly bear, miner, and ships. The design was approved in 1849 and has undergone minor revisions, with the 1937 version being […]
US attorneys must be recognized members of a local bar association and by the courts, but can practice law outside their local jurisdiction. The process varies by state, but usually requires proof of good standing and may require an affidavit or oath of admission. Full-time government attorneys have credentials proving their status. The recognition process […]
The American elm is the state tree of Massachusetts and North Dakota, chosen for its association with the American Revolutionary War. It is a tall and hardy tree that can grow in a variety of conditions and is used for various products. However, it is highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease, which has decimated the […]
The apple blossom is the state flower of Arkansas, chosen in 1901 due to the state’s high apple production. It faced opposition due to religious concerns, but was ultimately selected. Arkansas was a major apple producer until disease and frost wiped out much of the crop. Today, the state still produces apples and celebrates its […]
The Washington state seal features a portrait of George Washington and the words “The Seal of the State of Washington 1889.” Originally, a more elaborate design was proposed, but jeweler Charles Talcott advised the legislature to adopt the portrait of Washington instead. In 2010, a proposal was made to replace the seal with a man […]
Mississippi is the fattest state in the US, with over two-thirds of the population being overweight or obese. BMI is used to measure this, but some argue it’s not accurate. The poorest county in the state, Jefferson County, has the highest concentration of overweight and obese people, with many seeing being heavy as normal. The […]
The flowering dogwood is Virginia’s state tree and official flower, chosen for its beauty and abundance. It grows up to 40 feet tall, with gray or brown bark and green leaves. It blooms in April and May with small white or pale yellow flowers surrounded by pink or white bracts. Virginia’s state tree is the […]
The sagebrush is the official state flower of Nevada and is well-suited to the arid conditions of the state. It is also found in other desert areas of the western United States and southwestern Canada. Sagebrush is a shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall and has silvery green or grayish branches and gray […]
Ohio’s state flower is the scarlet carnation, chosen in 1904 as a tribute to President William McKinley, who considered it a symbol of good luck. The flower is popular in Ohio and is known for its ability to withstand harsh winter climates. Ohio’s state flower is the scarlet carnation. The scarlet carnation belongs to the […]
The Florida State Quarter was the 27th coin in the 50 State Quarters® program, released in 2004. The design features a Spanish galleon, sabal palms, and the Space Shuttle. The program aimed to honor each state with five different quarters produced each year over a 10-year period. The winning design was submitted by Ralph Butler, […]
The Florida panther, a subspecies of Puma concolor, is the state animal of Florida and is endangered with only 100 to 160 left. They have a fawn-beige fur and are carnivores, eating medium-sized mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are solitary, territorial animals that mark their territory and have a home range of up to 200 […]
The Massachusetts state flag used to have a green pine tree on one side, but now it has a blue and gold coat of arms on both sides. The coat of arms includes a Native American, a white star, and a motto about seeking peace through freedom. Today, the Massachusetts state flag is identical on […]
Hawaii’s state motto, “Ua Mau ke Ea o Aina ai ka Pono,” was born out of conflict in the 19th century when a British sea captain seized Honolulu. King Kamehameha III’s impassioned speech upon the return of sovereignty to the islands included the phrase, which later became the state motto. It symbolizes Hawaii’s resistance to […]
“Montana” by Charles C. Cohan and Joseph E. Howard is the state song of Montana, adopted in 1945. It praises the state’s beauty, land, and mountains, and mentions the state’s nickname “the treasure state”. It was written in just 30 minutes after a suggestion from Mrs. E. Creighton Largey. The song was extremely popular and […]
The moose is the official state animal of Alaska, with males growing large antlers and weighing over 1,000 pounds. They inhabit wooded and rural areas, but can also be found in populated areas. Other recognized animals in Alaska include the bowhead whale, willow ptarmigan, Alaskan Malamute, king salmon, and the four-spot skimmer dragonfly. The moose, […]
The bluebonnet, a species of Lupinus, is the state flower of Texas. It was chosen in 1901 after a long debate that included other flowers like cotton boll and prickly pear. In 1971, all bluebonnet species were declared the state flower. It is not illegal to pick bluebonnets, but certain rules apply. The state flower […]
