New Jersey is known as the Garden State due to its history of gardening and preservation of natural lands. The nickname was coined by Abraham Browning, although Benjamin Franklin made a similar comparison. Despite its industrial reputation, New Jersey is a leader in agricultural production and has many parks and wilderness areas. Some residents have […]
Nevada’s state motto, “All for Our Country,” has uncertain origins, but it is believed to be related to the state’s entry into the Union during the Civil War. The popular myth that Nevada was admitted to the Union for its mineral wealth is debunked by former state archivist Guy Rocha. Nevada’s flag displays the nickname […]
Maryland’s state motto, “Fatti masculine, Parole femine,” means “Strong deeds, kind words.” It is written on the state seal, which includes the Crossland and Calvert family arms. The state also has various symbols, including the redfish, blue crab, Baltimore oriole, and black-eyed Susan. Maryland’s state motto is unique because, unlike other state mottos, it is […]
Tennessee’s state motto is “Agriculture and Commerce,” adopted in 1987 from the Tennessee Great Seal. The seal was first created in 1801, and the current version was introduced in 1869. Tennessee’s unofficial nickname is “The Volunteer State,” and it has various state symbols, including the thrush, raccoon, and zebra swallowtail. Tennessee’s state motto is “Agriculture […]
Marie Bankhead Owen, who worked alongside her husband at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, suggested the state motto “Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere” in 1923. It means “We dare to stand up for our rights” and was chosen as the second state motto after the original, “Here We Rest,” was deemed too weak. The […]
Vermont is known as the “Green Mountain State” due to the French explorer Samuel de Champlain’s naming of the land as “vert mont” and the Green Mountain Boys’ fight for independence. The state is home to the Green Mountain Range, which is over 75% forested and includes Mount Mansfield. The name was first used in […]
Texas state motto is “Friendship,” derived from the name of a native Indian tribe, Caddo. The state flag has three colors, and the lone star represents independence from Mexico. Texas has other official state symbols, including three state mammals, a state bird, a state flower, a state bug, and a state reptile. The state motto […]
Pennsylvania’s state motto, “Virtue, Liberty, and Independence,” was adopted in 1875 and reflects the state’s history as one of the original colonies and its role in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. The motto is featured on the state emblem and flag and represents the state’s desire to work together for the […]
New York’s state motto, “Excelsior,” means “always to the top” in Latin. It represents the zeal of New Yorkers to strive for higher goals. The state seal and flag feature the motto, along with other symbols such as Liberty and Justice, the state bird, fish, and flower. Unofficial nicknames for the state include “The Excelsior […]
Montpelier, Vermont is the only state capital in the US without a McDonald’s. The city prides itself on supporting local businesses, with over 40 independently owned shops. Despite its small population, Montpelier grows to around 21,000 people during business hours. There is something you can see in every state capital but one, and for those […]
The Northern Cardinal is West Virginia’s state bird, named in 1949. It is a medium-sized songbird with bright red feathers and a distinctive call. Cardinals mate for life and defend their territory and nests from predators. West Virginia’s state bird is the Northern Cardinal, or Cardinalis cardinalis. It is also commonly referred to as the […]
“Home on the Range” is the state song of Kansas, written by Dr. Brewster Higley and Dan Kelley in 1870. It became a symbol of the American West and has been adapted for other states. The true composer was disputed, but Higley was eventually confirmed. The song is accompanied by other state symbols, including the […]
The American robin was voted as the Wisconsin state bird by school children in 1926-27 and officially proclaimed in 1949. It is not actually a robin but a member of the thrush family. They are widespread in North America and prefer open ground near trees and shrubs to nest and roost. During breeding season, they […]
Bear Mountain State Park in southeastern New York offers over 5,000 acres of outdoor recreation, including boating, fishing, hiking, biking, a museum, zoo, rides, and boat rentals. Accommodations include stone cottages and rooms at the Overlook Lodge. Fall foliage attracts visitors from the US and Canada. Some attractions have seasonal hours. People looking to enjoy […]
The skylark is the state bird of Colorado, a medium-sized sparrow with a black body and a white patch on its wing. Males are larger and more recognizable than females, and their plumage changes from black and white in summer to brown in winter. They nest on the ground and eat insects and seeds. They […]
The Northern Thrush is the state bird of Tennessee, known for its vocal versatility and gray appearance with white stripes on black wings. They build nests out of twigs, leaves, and litter, and males play a primary role in caring for young. Once rare due to popularity as a cage bird, they are now common […]
Maine produces 99% of all wild blueberries in the US, with about 60,000 acres of native blueberry plants. The state also produces 15% of all blueberries in North America, with 91 million pounds of wild blueberries grown in 2012. Only 1% of Maine’s blueberry crop is sold fresh. Maine is the state that produces the […]
Morgan Quitno Press compiles an annual ranking of the smartest states in the US based on 21 factors, including education and income. Vermont was rated the smartest state in 2005-2006, followed by Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maine, Minnesota, Virginia, Wisconsin, Montana, and New York. Seattle was declared the smartest city due to its high number […]
The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep is Colorado’s state animal due to its strength, location, and symbolization of a prosperous state. They are known for their head-to-head fighting and large horns, and were once endangered. Colorado’s state animal is the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. It was given this designation in 1961. The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep […]
The Virginia state bird is the northern cardinal, adopted in 1950. Males have a bright red color and territorial behavior, while females are duller in color. They primarily eat seeds but also feed on fruits and insects. They build nests in concealed spots and lay smooth-shelled eggs in clutches of three to four. Both males […]
