Alaska has had two state seals, both designed before it became a state. The current seal depicts natural beauty, resources, and industry, with a fish and seal representing seafood wealth. Use of the seal without permission can result in a fine. Alaska has had two state seals, both designed many years before it became a […]
Ohio’s state seal has undergone several revisions since its creation in 1803. The current version, in use since 1996, features natural elements such as a mountain, river, and wheat field, as well as 13 rays representing the original colonies. The seal has undergone minor design changes over time, including the removal of a political motto. […]
The South Carolina state flag features a white crescent and a palm tree, representing the state’s secession from the Union during the Civil War. The crescent was first used in 1765, while the palm tree became a symbol during the American Revolution. The flag was created in 1861 and retains the same design today. The […]
The US government is divided into federal and state levels, with state politicians mirroring the organizational structure of federal representatives. Each state has two senators and a variable number of House of Representatives members. There are also state politicians at the local level, with an estimated 178,525 local divisions of government administration. The number of […]
The thrush was named Florida’s state bird in 1927 due to its allure and joy it brings to residents. It is also the state bird of Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Thrushes are medium-sized songbirds with gray feathers and white flashes on the wings. They are known for their loud and continuous vocalizations, including imitating […]
Louisiana’s state flower is the magnolia tree blossom, approved by the state legislature in 1900. There are many types of magnolia trees, and the flower is also the state flower of Mississippi. In 1950, legislation was introduced to change Louisiana’s state flower to an iris, but it was not adopted. Magnolia is also a symbol […]
Colorado became a state in 1876, but it wasn’t until 1911 that the state flag was adopted. The colors and design have been updated over time, with the yellow disk representing sunshine and the white representing snow-capped mountains. The “C” symbolizes the state flower, name, and centennial status. Colorado has had a diverse history of […]
The magnolia is both the state tree and flower of Mississippi, with six native varieties. The southern magnolia is the most common and can grow up to 80 feet tall. Mississippi is the only state with the magnolia as both symbols, earning the nickname “Magnolia State.” Children voted for the magnolia as the state tree […]
The eastern cottonwood, Kansas’ state tree, was important to pioneers traveling west for shade and shelter. It also helped establish home sites and is known for its fluffy seed pods. The eastern cottonwood, the state tree of Kansas, is inextricably linked to the history of the state and the settlement of the United States. The […]
Missouri’s state tree is the flowering dogwood, also Virginia’s state tree. It has white bracts surrounding small yellow flowers, turns red in fall, and grows up to 40 feet. Its wood is strong and used for golf clubs, weaving tools, and medicine. The name “dogwood” may come from a dog mange remedy. Missouri’s state tree […]
“Hail Minnesota” was written by two University of Minnesota students in 1904 and 1905 for a play, which later became the school’s alma mater. In 1945, it became the state song. The lyrics celebrate Minnesota’s natural beauty and the loyalty of its residents. The song references the state’s diverse landscape and was commissioned for an […]
The South Carolina state seal was authorized in 1776 after a Revolutionary War victory. It features two ovals joined by palm branches, with a palmetto tree, spears, and shields representing independence and solidarity, and the goddess of hope representing the state’s future. The history of the South Carolina state seal is tied to a historic […]
“Washington, My Home” is the official state song of Washington, written by Helen Davis in 1950 and declared official in 1959. The song’s copyright is owned by the Davis estate, but the state holds an exclusive license for its use. The song’s lyrics reflect the state’s scenery and terrain. Despite being the official song, it […]
The Guadalupe bass is the official state fish of Texas and can only be found in Texas waters. It is often mistaken for other bass species and prefers fast-moving water. Its average length is 1 foot and it is considered a sunfish. Anglers often catch them using insect and minnow baits. The population of Guadalupe […]
“My Old Kentucky Home” is Kentucky’s state song, composed by Stephen Collins Foster in 1852. Originally titled “Poor Uncle Tom, Good Night,” it was changed to appeal to Southern audiences. The lyrics were modified in 1986 to remove racial slurs. The song is played at sporting events, including the Kentucky Derby and University of Kentucky […]
The tulip poplar, also known as yellow poplar, is the state tree of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. It is a member of the magnolia family and was named for its tulip-like flowers. The tree was heavily logged by early settlers and used for various purposes. It is a large, fast-growing shade tree that can reach […]
Illinois has had four seals, with the first resembling the US seal. The third, adopted in 1868, features an eagle holding a shield and an olive branch, with the state motto “Sovereignty of the State, National Union” arranged to emphasize “National Union”. The seal is surrounded by the date of the adoption of the first […]
Castle Rock State Park in California covers 3,500 acres and is popular with rock climbers, hikers, and equestrians. It features challenging mountains, established trails, and natural wonders such as California Redwoods. The park is located near Santa Cruz and offers camping and picnic areas. Castle Rock State Park encompasses approximately 3,500 acres (14 square km) […]
The Oklahoma state flag features an Osage warrior shield with a calumet and olive branch, representing peace and harmony between white and Native residents. The shield has white crosses symbolizing the pursuit of excellence on a sky-blue background honoring the Choctaw nation’s flag. The current flag was adopted in 1925, replacing a red flag with […]
Michigan’s state flower is the fragrant apple blossom, formally adopted in 1897. The state ranks second in apple production in the US and has approximately 8-9 million apple trees. The state also has other state symbols, including the wolverine, white pine, and dwarf lake iris. Michigan’s state flower is the apple blossom. The Latin name […]
