Alabama is known by several nicknames, including Yellowhammer State, Heart of Dixie, and Cotton State. The Yellowhammer nickname comes from Confederate soldiers in Alabama who were called by that name due to yellow cloth on their uniforms resembling the colors of a small bird known as a yellowhammer. The yellow hammerhead was officially designated the […]
A purple state is a state where the vote is split between Democratic and Republican candidates, making it a hotspot for electoral contests. It is also known as a swing or battleground state. The electoral college system means candidates can win without winning the popular vote. Politicians aim to attract undecided voters to win a […]
Florida is the southernmost state in the US with a tropical climate, making it a popular tourist destination. It was named the “Sunshine State” due to its sunny weather, which attracts visitors during cold northern winters. Florida’s economy relies heavily on tourism, with the industry being the largest in the state. Despite being one of […]
Nebraska’s nickname “Cornhusker State” comes from the importance of corn in the state’s agricultural industry. Before the Homestead Act of 1862, the flat land was perceived as part of the Great Central Plain Desert. The state’s first official nickname was “Tree Planter State,” but in the 1940s, the state legislature repealed it and deemed “Cornhusker […]
Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution, leading to the formation of a strong national government. Its history dates back to the Dutch and Swedish settlements, and it played a significant role in the American Revolution. Delaware’s state flag features a buff diamond and colonial blue background, with the state motto “Liberty […]
Virginia’s state motto is “Sic Semper Tyrannis,” meaning “So always to tyrants,” adopted in 1776. The state seal depicts Virtus, a figure of peace, standing victorious over Tyranny, representing Britain. Virginia has several unofficial nicknames, including “The Old Dominion” and “Mother of Presidents.” The state also has official symbols, including the American foxhound, brook trout, […]
Kansas is known as “The Sunflower State” due to the common wild sunflower and its use as the official state flower. The flower has been important to the region’s residents for thousands of years, and its seeds are used for cooking, baking, and as an alternative to fossil fuels. Kansas has had other nicknames in […]
The origin of New York State’s nickname “Empire State” is unknown, but it may have come from George Washington’s reference to the state as “the seat of the Empire.” The state’s wealth of natural resources, central location, and independence during the American Revolution contributed to its nickname. The Empire State Building, Empire State Games, and […]
Montana’s official nickname is the Treasure State, reflecting its mineral resources. Other nicknames include Big Sky Country, Bonanza State, Land of Shining Mountains, and Stubbed-Toe State. Montana has many state symbols, including an official state animal, bird, fish, flower, herb, and tree, as well as a state seal that showcases the state’s landscape and mining […]
Tennessee has had many nicknames, including “Big Bend State” and “Hog and Hominy State,” but the most enduring is “Volunteer State.” It earned this nickname during the War of 1812 due to the large number of Tennesseans who volunteered to serve. Famous volunteers include Davy Crockett and Alvin York. The University of Tennessee athletic teams […]
Virginia does not have an official state animal, but the American foxhound, bred for fox hunting in colonial times, is considered the state dog. George Washington played a role in developing the breed, which is known for its genial nature and high energy. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1866. American foxhounds are […]
Washington is known as the Evergreen State due to its lush green forests and high levels of rainfall. The nickname was suggested by Charles T. Conover in 1890 and officially signed into law by the state legislature. The state’s national parks and protected areas are also known for their towering evergreen trees. The state is […]
Missouri’s state motto, “Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto”, means “the welfare of the people shall be the supreme law”. It was adopted in 1822 and is featured on the state seal, which also includes two grizzly bears, the words “United We Stand” and “Divided We Fall”, and the year 1820. The state flag has three […]
Missouri’s nickname, the “Show-me State,” has uncertain origins, but is commonly attributed to a speech by former Congressman Willard Vandiver or Missouri miners in Colorado. The term has become associated with the state’s pragmatic and realistic approach to everyday affairs. Missouri’s nickname as the “Show-me State” comes from an ultimately undetermined source, although there are […]
Texas has three state animals: the nine-banded armadillo, the Mexican free-tailed bat, and the Longhorn cattle. Armadillos have nine bands on their scaly skin and give birth to identical quadruplets. Mexican free-tailed bats use echolocation to fly and gather in groups to raise their young. Longhorn cattle are raised for beef and are a symbol […]
Rhode Island’s official nickname, “Ocean State,” was adopted in the 1970s to attract tourism. The state has a long coastline and a history of maritime commerce and fishing. The nickname remains relevant today, as it draws tourists and supports the fishing industry. While there are a number of likely reasons for Rhode Island’s official nickname […]
Washington’s state motto is “Alki,” a Native American Chinook word meaning “future hope” or “eventually.” It comes from the settlement of “New York Alki” which later became Seattle. It is the only unofficial state motto and is depicted on the Washington Territory seal. The state seal and flag are simple, depicting George Washington and the […]
South Carolina has two state mottos: “Animis Opibusque Parati” meaning “prepared in mind and resources” and “Dum Spiro Spero” meaning “As I breathe, I hope.” Both are on the state seal, which also features a palmetto tree representing victory in a Revolutionary War battle. Other state symbols include a flower, butterfly, animal, bird, and game […]
Iowa’s nickname, the Hawkeye State, was approved in 1838 and is thought to have been inspired by Native American warrior Black Hawk and/or the character Hawkeye in The Last of the Mohicans. The name was promoted by David Rorer and James G. Edwards, and the latter even renamed his paper The Hawk-Eye. Iowa is also […]
Oklahoma’s nickname, The Sooner State, comes from settlers who claimed land in Unassigned Lands before it was legal. The term “sooner” originally had a negative connotation but improved when the University of Oklahoma adopted it in 1908. The land was initially prohibited from settlement, but lobbying efforts and the interest of the Santa Fe Railroad […]
