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 goldenrod is the state flower of Nebraska, chosen for its abundance and robustness. It blooms in clusters of yellow petals and grows throughout the state. The state experienced a population surge in the late 1880s, leading to the naming of distinctive features of the land. The goldenrod appears as a cluster of small yellow […]
Pennsylvania’s state flower is the evergreen mountain laurel, scientifically known as Kalmia latifolia, which produces pink and white flowers each year. It can grow up to 40 feet tall, likes rocky upland areas, and is native to the eastern United States. The flowering season is in May and June, and it can grow under taller […]
The Oregon grape, also known as mahonia, is the state flower of Oregon. It is an evergreen shrub with clusters of yellow flowers and dark blue berries. The plant is used for medicinal purposes and its leaves can be used to make a yellow dye. The state flower of Oregon is the Oregon grape, sometimes […]
The peony is the state flower of Indiana, replacing the zinnia in 1957. It comes in various shades and is widely grown throughout the state. Some criticize it for not being native to the area. Peonies are commonly used in Memorial Day arrangements and are a traditional symbol of wealth and honor in Chinese culture. […]
The apple blossom is the state flower of Arkansas, chosen in 1901 due to the state’s high apple production. It faced opposition due to religious concerns, but was ultimately selected. Arkansas was a major apple producer until disease and frost wiped out much of the crop. Today, the state still produces apples and celebrates its […]
Ohio’s state flower is the scarlet carnation, chosen in 1904 as a tribute to President William McKinley, who considered it a symbol of good luck. The flower is popular in Ohio and is known for its ability to withstand harsh winter climates. Ohio’s state flower is the scarlet carnation. The scarlet carnation belongs to the […]
The bluebonnet, a species of Lupinus, is the state flower of Texas. It was chosen in 1901 after a long debate that included other flowers like cotton boll and prickly pear. In 1971, all bluebonnet species were declared the state flower. It is not illegal to pick bluebonnets, but certain rules apply. The state flower […]
The Louisiana Purchase was a land acquisition in 1803 that doubled the size of the United States. President Thomas Jefferson authorized the purchase of 828,800 square miles for $15 million from France, including the port of New Orleans. Napoleon Bonaparte originally did not want to sell the port, but after his plans to control Santo […]
The Mayflower, also known as the trailing strawberry tree, ground laurel, or winter rose, is the state flower of Massachusetts. It is a low-growing shrub with pink or white fragrant flowers that prefers sandy or rocky soil. The Massachusetts Board of Education allowed school children to vote on the state flower, and the Mayflower won […]
The Oklahoma hybrid tea rose, developed at the University of Oklahoma, was named the state flower in 2004, replacing mistletoe and Indian blanket. The rose has a strong fragrance and bears dark red flowers with 45-50 petals. It is disease-resistant and grows best in cooler, drier areas. The state flower of Oklahoma is the ‘Oklahoma’ […]
Oregon’s state motto, “She flies on her wings,” was written by Judge Quinn Thornton in 1854 and was replaced with “The Union” in 1957. It was changed back to the original motto in 1987. The state seal features the previous motto and symbolic images, while the state flag is double-sided with a representation of the […]
North Carolina’s state tree is the pine, with no specific species designated due to the presence of eight native species. Pine played a vital role in the state’s history and continues to provide lumber for construction. The state also has an official Christmas tree and designated state flower, wildflower, vegetable, and carnivorous plant. North Carolina […]
The American robin was voted as the Wisconsin state bird by school children in 1926-27 and officially proclaimed in 1949. It is not actually a robin but a member of the thrush family. They are widespread in North America and prefer open ground near trees and shrubs to nest and roost. During breeding season, they […]
Montana’s state bird is the western skylark, a medium-sized songbird with a distinctive V-shaped marking on its chest. It mainly eats insects and seeds and is protected in Montana. Male skylarks have two mates and females build elaborate nests for their three to six eggs. The western lark is different from the darker eastern lark […]
The nene, a type of goose native to Hawaii, is the state bird. It has weak wings and prefers land to water due to adaptations made to its environment. The nene is endangered due to predation by introduced animals, but restoration efforts are underway. The state bird of Hawaii is the nene, a type of […]
The Cherokee rose, a small white flower with a yellow center, is the state flower of Georgia. It is native to China but has been found in gardens throughout Georgia. The flower is related to the history of Georgia and the Cherokee Indians, and is a treasured part of the state’s culture. The plant is […]
Mississippi’s state bird is the thrush, chosen by the state legislature in 1944. Thrushes are native to Mississippi and known for their vocalization and ability to mimic other species. They are also the official state bird of Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas. State legislatures in the United States (USA) often choose birds, flowers, and other […]
The Soviet Union was the largest socialist state, lasting from 1922 to 1991. It went through many changes, including territorial annexations and political control. At its peak, it included 15 republics, with Russia being the most powerful. The liberalization movements and financial control of the republics led to its dissolution in 1991, with Russia taking […]
