The Indiana state tree, also known as the tulip poplar or Liriodendron tulipifera, is a type of magnolia with yellow tulip-like flowers. Its wood is used for lumber and it can grow up to 197 feet tall. The tree is also used for making canoes, furniture parts, boxes, paper, and plywood. It attracts hummingbirds and […]
Washington selected the western hemlock as its state tree in 1947 after an Oregon newspaper mocked the state for not having one. The tree is long-lived and can resist woolly adelgid, a pest that damages other hemlock trees. It is also a significant source of timber and was used by Native Americans for dye and […]
Michigan’s state tree is the eastern white pine, chosen in 1955 to commemorate the state’s contribution to the lumber industry. It is the largest evergreen in the Eastern US and found throughout Michigan, especially in the Upper Peninsula. The tree’s bark turns grayish brown as it matures and its needles are typically blue. The tree […]
The Washington state flag features an image of George Washington, designed by Charles Talcott. It was adopted in 1923 and has a green background with a yellow fringe. The state also honors Washington with the official state ship, the President Washington. The Washington state flag is the only state flag in the United States that […]
Maryland’s state seal has a long history, with the first official seal being brought from England in the 1600s. The current seal has both an obverse and reverse, with the reverse being more commonly used. The seal has been replaced and changed several times, with the current version featuring Calvert’s coat of arms and Lord […]
Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a large forest park in California famous for its giant sequoia trees. It offers various outdoor activities, camping areas, and is home to many animal species. The park has several walking and biking trails and fishing spots. Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a large forest park famous for […]
The Utah state flag was designed by the Utah State Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1903. It was not officially adopted until 1911 due to legal and design errors. In 1913, the flag was accidentally redesigned and adopted by the legislature. A mistake was made in 1922 and has been present […]
Maine and Massachusetts both have the black-capped tit as their state bird. They are small, monogamous birds that build nests in tree cavities and feed on insects and fruits. They are non-migratory and sociable, but can become aggressive and attack smaller birds. Individuals residing in a particular state can select state animals that best represent […]
The American robin, also known as the red-breasted robin, is Michigan’s state bird. It is a migratory songbird with a cheerful singing voice and bright orange-red chest. Both sexes have the same coloration, but become more subdued in winter. The male robin starts singing very early in the morning and can often be seen pulling […]
“Old Folks at Home” is Florida’s current state song, replacing “Florida, My Florida” in 1935. The song was originally written about the Pee Dee River, not the Suwanee River, and has been criticized for possible racist undertones. The song was written by Steven Collins Foster, who also wrote “My Old Kentucky Home,” among other well-known […]
US states choose symbols to represent their locality, including a state amphibian, which is submitted to the state legislative body for approval. Amphibians are cold-blooded animals that depend on sunlight and water to regulate their body temperature. Choosing a state amphibian allows children to learn about the animal and the legislative process. Conservation efforts are […]
The Baltimore Oriole is Maryland’s official state bird, named after Lord Baltimore. They live in wooded areas and eat insects and fruit. Mating season begins in late April and females build a hanging nest. The bird has been protected since 1918 and inspired the name of Baltimore’s baseball team. The Baltimore Oriole, a member of […]
The magnolia is the state flower and tree of Mississippi, known for its large, fragrant flowers and evergreen leaves. It was chosen as the state flower in 1900 and the state tree in 1938. Magnolias are an important part of Mississippian culture and history. The state flower of Mississippi is the magnolia or Magnolia grandiflora. […]
Colorado has two state songs: “Where the Columbines Grow” and “Rocky Mountain High.” The former, adopted in 1915, celebrates the natural beauty of the state, with a focus on the columbine flower. The latter, written by John Denver, was accepted as the second state song in 2007 and tells the story of a young man’s […]
The Wisconsin state flag was adopted in 1913 and modified in 1979 to be more distinguishable. It features the state coat of arms with symbols representing major industries and the state animal, badger. It is displayed in federal and state buildings and can be flown at half-mast by order of the Governor. The state flag […]
Connecticut’s state tree is the white oak, chosen to honor the Charter Oak that grew in Hartford until 1850. The tree’s history dates back to the 1600s when Connecticut was struggling for independence from British colonial rule. The Royal Charter was hidden inside a large white oak, which was uprooted in 1856, revealing the Charter. […]
The Colorado state tree is the blue spruce, known for its hardiness and silver-blue hue. It grows in the Rocky Mountains and is popular for landscaping. It was approved as a state symbol in 1939 but is not widely used in official contexts. The tree was discovered by European settlers in 1862 and is also […]
The state flower of New Jersey is the common blue violet, which has alternative names such as hooded violet and wood violet. It was used for food and medicine by Native Americans, and became the state flower in 1971 after multiple attempts. Other US states have also adopted the violet as their official flower. The […]
State fairs are annual summer events that combine agricultural fairs with carnivals. They feature prize-winning animals, agricultural competitions, carnival rides, games, and food stalls. State fairs can take up a lot of space and may have permanent structures on the grounds. A state fair is an event that is usually held in the summer and […]
The cactus wren is Arizona’s state bird, chosen by the legislature in 1931. They mate for life, defend their territory aggressively, and nest in cacti. They feed on insects and can survive without clean water. In 1986, four more state wildlife symbols were chosen. Arizona’s state bird is the cactus wren, scientifically known as Heleodytes […]
