The American robin is Connecticut’s state bird and is also the official state bird of Wisconsin and Michigan. They are the largest type of thrush native to North America and can be found throughout the continent. They feed on a variety of insects, invertebrates, and berries, and build their nests from grass, twigs, and moss. […]
The wood violet, a wildflower that grows in moist woodlands of Wisconsin, has been the official state flower since 1949. It was chosen because it is a native species and blooms in all regions of the state. The flower has four or five oblong dark blue or purple petals and is often used to make […]
The willow ptarmigan is Alaska’s state bird and one of three ptarmigan species. Both males and females change their appearance with the seasons and have different eating habits. They build nests in sheltered areas and both genders participate in egg care. They are the most abundant ptarmigan subspecies in Alaska. The willow ptarmigan, a grouse, […]
The New Jersey state seal, designed by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere, was approved by the legislature in 1777. It features five symbols, including a horse’s head and helmet, a shield with three plows, and female figures representing Ceres and Liberty. The seal has undergone subtle changes over the years, including the figures facing the viewer […]
“On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away” is the state song of Indiana, written by Paul Dresser in 1899 and adopted by the state legislature in 1913. The song captures the state’s natural beauty and rural heritage, with the Wabash River playing an important role in Hoosier culture. Dresser, a nationally and internationally acclaimed […]
The state flower of West Virginia is the Rhododendron maximum, also known as large or laurel laurel. It has white or pale pink flowers and is often confused with other mountain laurels. It blooms in early to late summer and was chosen as the state flower in 1903. The state flower of West Virginia is […]
Missouri’s state flag was designed by Marie Elizabeth Oliver and became official in 1913 after several attempts. Oliver’s design was chosen for its symbolic richness and depiction of Missouri’s independence. The original flag was donated to the state in 1961 and restored in 1988 for display at the James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center. The […]
US states have a variety of symbols, including state butterflies which were first designated in 1972. The monarch and eastern tiger swallowtail are the most common, while other states have unique species associated with their state. Some states have both a state bug and butterfly, while others have just one or the other. Each US […]
State houses in the US are formal complexes of buildings that house government offices, with a Capitol building at the center. They are open to the public and offer guided tours. State houses are highly formal and often have classical architecture. Security measures are in place to protect occupants. Visitors can arrange to meet with […]
US states have nicknames that reflect their unique characteristics, history, and geography. Some are official, while others are unofficial and have changed over time. Nicknames can refer to a state’s physical location, major historical events, or current assets. Some unofficial nicknames are well-established and have never been made official. Each of the states in the […]
Alabama replaced goldenrod with Camellia japonica as the state flower in 1959. The change was due to goldenrod being considered a weed. Camellia japonica was chosen again in 1999 to differentiate from other varieties. The plant blooms in late winter and early spring, has glossy dark green leaves, and can reach 20 feet when mature. […]
The Rocky Mountain Lavender and White Columbine is Colorado’s state flower, discovered in 1820 and officially adopted in 1899. Its scientific name is Aquilegia caerulea and it represents the state’s blue skies, white snow, and gold mining industry. The flower is protected by law and can be seen growing throughout the state. Colorado’s state flower […]
The Florida state flag has remained the same since it was created in 1900, featuring a red “X” of St. Andrew’s on a white field with the state seal in the center. The red diagonal lines represent the branches of the tree from which St. Andrew was lynched. The historic seal depicts a Seminole Indian […]
North Dakota’s state flag was designed in 1911, based on the battle flag of the North Dakota Infantry Regiment during the Spanish-American War. The flag features an American bald eagle holding an olive branch and arrows, with a scroll below reading “North Dakota.” The state motto is “Liberty and union, one and inseparable, now and […]
A state tree is a symbol chosen by a state’s residents and legislature, usually a native tree iconic to the state or significant to its history. California has two state trees, while West Virginia and Wisconsin share the sugar maple. Ohio chose the Ohio Buckeye due to its history. Every state except Hawaii has a […]
The State Seal of Hawaii represents the island’s transition from a tribal monarchy to a democratic government. It retains the shield and motto from the Royal Coat of Arms, but with changes to symbolize the new state. The final design was completed in 1959 when Hawaii achieved statehood. The seal features a red phoenix and […]
Ohio’s state flag, designed in 1901 by John Eisenmann, is unique among US flags due to its pennant shape. It features a blue triangle with 17 white stars representing the state’s geography and history. The red circle with a white border symbolizes the state’s name and its fruit, the buckeye. The flag’s design elements emphasize […]
The Arkansas state seal was designed by Samuel Calhoun Roane in 1820. It features a liberty baton, shield, and the Goddess of Liberty. The design has gone through several changes, including the spelling of the state name and the number of stars. The current design is similar to the one adopted in 1864. The Latin […]
The white oak is Maryland’s state tree, chosen in 1941. They can grow up to 150 feet tall, live for over six centuries, and produce 10,000 acorns annually. The tree was valued for its hardwood and edible acorns by early settlers. Wye Oak, the largest white oak in the US, was killed by lightning in […]
West Virginia’s state flag features the state flower, the rhododendron, and the state coat of arms, depicting a miner and a farmer standing on either side of a rock inscribed with the state’s date of statehood. The flag also includes crossed rifles and a Phrygian cap, symbolizing the state’s struggle for autonomy during the Civil […]
