The New Mexico state seal, adopted in 1913, features a bald eagle and a Mexican brown eagle, symbolizing the state’s former status as part of Mexico. The Latin motto “Crescit Eundo” is displayed on a ribbon. The design dates back to around 1860 and was modified over time. The basic design of the New Mexico […]
The eastern bluebird is Missouri’s state bird, known for its blue wings, white belly, and rusty brownish-red breast. They live in areas with little ground cover, feed on fruit and insects, and nest in tree holes or nests. The population declined in the 1960s and 1970s due to aggressive species, but has stabilized thanks to […]
The New York state seal has had five variations, with the current version designed in 1882 and adopted in 1885. It incorporates the state coat of arms and symbolically expresses the state’s values, history, and industry. The design includes two female figures, Lady Liberty and Lady Justice, and the motto “Excelsior.” The New York state […]
Minnesota’s state seal has caused controversy since 1849 due to its depiction of a Sioux Indian. The first version showed a farmer and an Indian riding off into the sunset, with a misspelled Latin motto. The seal was revised several times, with the Indian rider eventually being replaced by a Caucasian rider. In the 1980s, […]
The state quarter series, issued between 1999 and 2008, honors each of the 50 United States with a specific image on the back. They are legal tender and have become collectible, but their value is expected to appreciate slowly due to the large numbers in circulation. The coins were initially controversial but were authorized by […]
The pinyon pine was chosen as the state tree of New Mexico by a women’s club organization, and is sold commercially as a Christmas tree. It produces pine nuts that attract wildlife, and its wood is used for charcoal, heat, railway sleepers, and mine shoring. The tree is susceptible to dwarf mistletoe, which can damage […]
North Carolina was divided in 1710 into two parts, with the northern portion becoming known as the Old North State. It is one of many nicknames for the state, which was originally a British colony named after King Charles I. North Carolina was the first state to pass independence from Great Britain in the Continental […]
The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas and is found throughout the state. It has 11 different species and is on the state flag and quarter. The flower head follows the sun and is made up of 1,000 to 2,000 single flowers. Sunflower seeds are a good food source and were domesticated by Native […]
Florida’s original state seal, designed in 1865, depicted a steamboat, a cocoa tree, and a Native American woman. Revisions in 1970 made the woman more representative of the Seminole tribe and replaced cacao with the palm tree. Florida’s state symbols include the orange blossom and the manatee. The state was first explored by Juan Ponce […]
The sugar maple is Wisconsin’s state tree, also the state tree of New York and appears on the Canadian flag. It is prized for its lumber, ornamental purposes, and production of maple syrup. The tree was chosen by schoolchildren in 1893 and became the official state tree in 1949. It also plays an important ecological […]
The chinook salmon, also known as king salmon, is the official state fish of Alaska. It is prized for its flavor, size, and fighting spirit. Fishing is critical to Alaska’s economy, with fish harvesting and processing accounting for 120% of all jobs. King salmon can grow to enormous proportions and have an interesting life cycle, […]
The state seal of Maine features a moose, pine tree, farmer, and sailor, with the state motto “I lead” above and “Maine” below. It has remained largely unchanged since 1820 and is used on official documents and the state flag. The state seal of Maine contains images important to the state, including the state tree, […]
The New York state flag has a complex design with symbolic images dating back hundreds of years. Its motto is “excelsior” and has not been changed since 1882. The flag features a stylized rising sun, a river landscape, and images of women representing freedom and justice. The state seal is similar to the flag and […]
“The Maine Song” by Roger Vinton Snow is the state song of Maine, praising the state’s abundant forests, streams, and salty seas. The song was chosen from a pool of 116 songs submitted in a contest held by the Maine state advertising office in 1931. Maine became the 23rd state of the United States in […]
The rose is the state flower of New York, recognized in official legislation. It won an Arbor Day poll in 1891 and has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. The rose is diverse, with at least 150 species and 20,000 hybrids. Supporters argue its beauty and durability, while opponents criticize its prickly stems. The […]
US states adopt official reptiles, including lizards, snakes, alligators, turtles, and tortoises. Only half of the states have a reptilian symbol, with some sharing species such as the eastern box turtle and painted turtle. The Blanding’s tortoise is Minnesota’s unofficial state reptile, while the desert tortoise is the official state reptile of California and Nevada. […]
Each state in the USA has a state bird, chosen for its uniqueness or commonality to the region. The state bird is typically chosen by the state’s legislature, and some states have both state birds and state wild birds. Popular sentiment can change the official bird for a state. A state bird is a bird […]
The American elm, North Dakota’s state tree, was once popular for its hardiness and rapid growth, but is now susceptible to Dutch elm disease. The disease spread to the US in the 1930s and has since infected trees in 41 states. New varieties have been bred to resist the fungus, including New Harmony and Valley […]
Ohio’s state tree is the buckeye, adopted in 1953. Its nuts resemble deer eyes and were used by William Henry Harrison’s followers for campaign mementos. The tree is vulnerable to leaf diseases and prefers a shaded, moist environment. It can grow up to 60 feet tall and is similar in appearance to the horse chestnut […]
Elizabeth Garrett, daughter of Pat Garrett who killed Billy the Kid, wrote “O Fair New Mexico” in 1915. It became the state song in 1917 and she was granted a lifetime payment in 1937. She died in 1947 and her song is inscribed on her gravestone. The state also has a march and a Spanish-language […]
