Alabama
Twenty-second state; admitted on December 14, 1819 (seceded from the Union on January 11, 1861, and was readmitted on June 25, 1868)
Alabama does not observe the anniversary of its admission day, but did hold festivities in 1969 in honor of the 150th, or sesquicentennial, anniversary of statehood. There were historical pageants, a boat parade, formal balls, music, fireworks, and the issuance of a commemorative stamp. The state was named for a southern Indian tribe, possibly a subdivision of the Chickasaws.
State capital: Montgomery
Nicknames: The Heart of Dixie; The Yellowhammer State; The Cotton State
State motto: Audemus jura nostra defendere (Latin “We dare maintain our rights”)
State agricultural museum: Dothan Landmarks Park
State amphibian: Red Hills Salamander (Phaeognathus hubrichti Highton)
State barbecue championship: Demopolis Christmas on the River Barbecue Cook- Off
State bible: The Bible
State bird: Yellowhammer or Common Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
State butterfly and mascot: Easter tiger swallowtail
State championship horse show: Alabama State Championship Horse Show
State creed: Alabama’s Creed
State folk dance: Square dance
State fish: saltwater: Fighting tarpon (Tarpon atlanticus); freshwater: Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
State flower: Camellia (Camellia japonica L.); wildflower: Oak-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia Bartr)
State fossil: Basilosaurus cetoides
State fruit: Blackberry
State game bird: Wild turkey
State gemstone: Star blue quartz
State historic theatre: Alabama Theatre for the Performing Arts
State horse: Racking horse
State horseshoe tournament: Stockton Fall Horseshoe Tournament
State insect: Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexipuss)
State mammal: Black bear
State mineral: Hematite (red iron ore)
State nut: Pecan
State outdoor drama: The Miracle Worker
State outdoor musical drama: The Incident at Looney’s Tavern
State quilt: Pine Burr Quilt
State Renaissance faire: Florence Renaissance faire
State reptile: Red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis)
State rock: Marble
State shell: Johnstone’s Junonia (Scaphella junonia johnstoneae)
State soil: Bama soil series
State song: “Alabama”
State spirit: Conecuh Ridge Alabama Fine Whiskey
State stone: Marble
State tree: Southern Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris Miller)
State tree fruit: Peach
More about state symbols at:
http://www.archives.state.al.us/kids_emblems/index.html
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 829 AnnivHol-2000, p. 208
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.alabama.gov
Office of the Governor State Capitol 600 Dexter Ave Suite N-104 Montgomery, AL 36130 334-242-7100 fax: 334-353-0004 http://www.governor.state.al.us
Secretary of State PO Box 5616 Montgomery, AL 36103 334-242-7200 fax: 334-242-4993 http://www.sos.state.al.us
Alabama Public Library Service 6030 Monticello Dr Montgomery, AL 36130 334-213-3900 fax: 334-213-3993 http://www.apls.state.al.us
Archives & History Dept 624 Washington Ave Montgomery, AL 30130 334-242-4435 fax: 334-240-3433 http://www.archives.state.al.us
Alaska
Forty-ninth state; admitted on January 3, 1959
State capital: Juneau
Nickname: The Last Frontier
State motto: North to the Future
State bird: Willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus)
State fish: Chinook (king) salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
State flower: Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica or M. scorpioides)
State fossil: Woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)
State gem: Jade
State insect: Four spot skimmer dragonfly
State land mammal: Moose
State marine mammal: Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus)
State mineral: Gold
State song: “Alaska’s Flag”
State sport: Dogteam racing (mushing)
State tree: Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/oed/student_info/student.htm
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 16 AnnivHol-2000, p. 3
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.state.ak.us
Office of the Governor PO Box 110011 Juneau, AK 99811 907-465-3500 fax: 907-465-3532 http://www.gov.state.ak.us
Alaska State Library PO Box 110571 Juneau, AK 99811 907-465-2910 fax: 907-465-2151 http://www.library.state.ak.us
Arizona
Forty-eighth state; admitted on February 14, 1912
State capital: Phoenix
Nickname: Grand Canyon State
State motto: Ditat Deus (Latin “God Enriches”)
State amphibian: Arizona tree frog (Hyla eximia)
State bird: Cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
State butterfly: Two-tailed swallowtail
State colors: Federal blue and old gold
State fish: Apache trout (Salmo apache)
State flower: Blossom of the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)
State fossil: Petrified wood
State gem: Turquoise
State mammal: Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus)
State neckwear: Bola tie
State reptile: Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi)
State songs: “Arizona March Song” and “Arizona”
State tree: Palo Verde (Cercidium floridum)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.governor.state.az.us/kids/State_Facts.asp
http://www.lib.az.us/museum/symbols.cfm
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 141
AnnivHol-2000, p. 27
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.az.gov
Office of the Governor
1700 W Washington St
Executive Tower 9th Fl
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-542-4331
fax: 602-542-7601
http://www.governor.state.az.us
Secretary of State
1700 W Washington St
West Wing 7th Fl
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-542-4285
fax: 602-542-1575
http://www.azsos.gov
Arizona State Library
1700 W Washington St
Rm 200
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-542-4035
fax: 602-542-4972
http://www.lib.az.us
Arkansas
Twenty-fifth state; admitted on June 15, 1836 (seceded from the Union on May 6, 1861, and was readmitted in June 1868)
The state was named for Ohio Valley Indians’ name for the Quapaw Indians who lived in northern Arkansas.
State capital: Little Rock
Nickname: The Natural State
State motto: Regnat populus (Latin “The people rule”)
State beverage: Milk
State bird: Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
State flower: Apple blossom (Malus sylvestris)
State folk dance: Square dance
State fruit and vegetable: South Arkansas vine-ripe pink tomato
State gem: Diamond
State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
State mammal: White-tail deer
State mineral: Quartz crystal
State musical instrument: Fiddle
State rock: Bauxite
State songs: “Arkansas,” “Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me),” “Oh Arkansas,” and “The Arkansas Traveler”
State tree: Pine (Pinus palustris)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.soskids.arkansas.gov/k-4-history-state-symbols.html
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 448 AnnivHol-2000, p. 101
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.arkansas.gov
Office of the Governor State Capitol Bldg Little Rock, AR 72201 501-682-2345 fax: 501-682-1382 http://www.arkansas.gov/governor
Secretary of State State Capitol Bldg Rm 256 Little Rock, AR 72201 501-682-1010 fax: 501-682-3510 http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us
Arkansas State Library 1 Capitol Mall 5th Fl Little Rock, AR 72201 501-682-1527 fax: 501-682-1529 http://www.asl.lib.ar.us
California
Thirty-first state; admitted on September 9, 1850
City and state offices, banks, and public schools close in California to mark this legal holiday on the first Monday in September. Two organizations—the Native Sons of the Golden West and the Native Daughters of the Golden West—have sponsored annual programs in different locations throughout the state each year. In addition, many communities hold festivities of their own, including parades, music, food, and dancing.
State capital: Sacramento
Nickname: The Golden State
State motto: Eureka (Greek “I Have Found It”)
State animal: California grizzly bear (Ursus (arctos) horribilis)
State bird: California valley quail (Callipepla californica)
State colors: Yale blue and golden yellow
State dance: West Coast swing dance
State fife and drum band: The California Consolidated Drum Band
State fish: South Fork golden trout (Salmo aguabonita)
State folk dance: Square dance
State fossil: California saber-toothed cat (Smilodon californicus)
State flower: California poppy (Eschscholtzia californica)
State gemstone: Benitoite
State gold rush ghost town: Bodie
State grass: Purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra)
State insect: California dog-face butterfly (flying pansy)
State marine fish: Garibaldi
State marine mammal: California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
State military museum: The California State Military Museum and Resource Center
State mineral: Native gold
State prehistoric artifact: Chipped stone bear
State reptile: California desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
State rock: Serpentine
State silver rush ghost town: Calico
State soil: San Joaquin soil
State song: “I Love You, California”
State tall ship: Californian
State tartan: California State Tartan
State theater: Pasadena Playhouse
State trees: Two species of California redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens and Sequoia gigantea)
More about the state at:
http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?ID=678
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 636 AnnivHol-2000, p. 152
CONTACT:
Native Daughters of the Golden West 543 Baker St. San Francisco, CA 94117-1405 800-994-6349 415-563-9091 fax: 415-563-5230 http://www.ndgw.org ndgwgpo@mindspring.com
Native Sons of the Golden West 414 Mason St. San Francisco, CA 94102 415-392-1223 fax: 415-392-1224 http://www.nsgw.org/sesqui.html nsgwgp@pacbell.net
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.ca.gov
Office of the Governor State Capitol 1st Fl Sacramento, CA 95814 916-445-2841 fax: 916-445-4633 http://www.governor.ca.gov
Secretary of State 1500 11th St Sacramento, CA 95814 916-653-6814 fax: 916-653-4620 http://www.ss.ca.gov
California State Library 914 Capitol Mall Sacramento, CA 95814 916-654-0261 fax: 916-654-0241 http://www.library.ca.gov
Colorado
Thirty-eighth state; admitted on August 1, 1876
State capital: Denver
Nickname: Centennial State
State motto: Nil sine Numine (Latin “Nothing without the Diety”)
State animal: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
State bird: Lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocoryus Stejneger)
State fish: Greenback cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki somias)
State flower: Columbine (Aguilegia caerules)
State folk dance: Square dance
State fossil: Stegosaurus
State gem: Aquamarine
State grass: Blue Grama
State insect: Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly (Hypaurotis cysalus)
State mineral: Rhodochrosite
State rock: Yule marble
State song: “Where the Columbines Grow” and “Rocky Mountain High”
State tartan: Colorado State Tartan
State tree: Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/symbemb. htm
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 555 AnnivHol-2000, p. 128 DictDays-1988, p. 22
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.colorado.gov
Office of the Governor 136 State Capitol Bldg Denver, CO 80203 303-866-2471
fax: 303-866-2003
http://www.colorado.gov/governor
Secretary of State
1700 Broadway
2nd Fl
Denver, CO 80290
303-894-2200
fax: 303-894-4860
http://www.sos.state.co.us
Colorado State Library
201 E Colfax Ave
Rm 309
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-6900
fax: 303-866-6940
http://www.cde.state.co.us/index_library.htm
Connecticut
Fifth state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on January 9, 1788
State capital: Hartford
Nickname: The Constitution State
State motto: Qui Transtulit Sustinet (Latin “He Who Transplanted Still Sustains”)
State aircraft: Corsair F4U
State animal: Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
State bird: American robin (Turdus migratorius)
State cantata: “The Nutmeg”
State composer: Charles Edward Ives (1874-1954)
State fish: American shad
State flagship: Schooner Amistad
State flower: Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
State folk dance: Square dance
State fossil: Eubrontes giganteus
State hero: Nathan Hale (1755-1776)
State heroine: Prudence Crandall (1803-1890)
State insect: European (praying) mantis (Mantis religiosa)
State mineral: Garnet
State shellfish: Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)
State ship: USS Nautilus (first nuclear-powered submarine)
State song: “Yankee Doodle”
State tartan: Connecticut State Tartan
State tree: Charter oak or white oak (Quercus alba)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.kids.ct.gov
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 41
AnnivHol-2000, p. 7
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.ct.gov
Office of the Governor
210 Capitol Ave
Hartford, CT 06106
860-566-4840
fax: 860-524-7395
http://www.ct.gov/governorrell
Secretary of State
210 Capitol Ave
Rm 104 Hartford, CT 06106 860-509-6200 fax: 860-509-6209 http://www.sots.state.ct.us
Connecticut State Library 231 Capitol Ave Hartford, CT 06106 860-757-6510 fax: 860-757-6503 http://www.cslib.org
Delaware
First state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787
December 7 is Delaware Day, commemorating the day it became the first state to ratify the Constitution. In 1939, the state legislature decreed that a commission be set up to organize the annual celebration. Since then, the observance has consisted mainly of the singing of patriotic songs, recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance and “Our Heritage,” a poem by Herman Hanson, and speeches and readings on the state’s history.
State capital: Dover
Nicknames: The First State; The Diamond State; The Blue Hen State
State motto: Liberty and Independence
State beverage: Milk
State bird: Blue Hen
State butterfly: Tiger Swallowtail
State fish: Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)
State flower: Peach blossom (Prunus persica)
State fossil: Belemnite
State herb: Sweet golden rod
State insect: Ladybug (Hippodamia convergens)
State macroinvertebrate: Stonefly
State marine animal: Horseshoe crab
State mineral: Sillimanite
State soil: Greenwich Loam
State song: “Our Delaware”
State star: Delaware Diamond
State tree: American holly (Ilex opaca)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.delaware.gov/egov/portal.nsf/portal/aboutfactsandsymbols
http://www.destatemuseums.org/education/Homework/ statefacts.shtml
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 815 AnnivHol-2000, p. 203
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.delaware.gov
Office of the Governor 150 William Penn St 2nd Fl Dover, DE 19901 302-577-3210 fax: 302-739-2775 http://www.state.de.us/governor
Secretary of State
401 Federal St
Suite 3
Dover, DE 19901
302-739-4111
fax: 302-739-3811
http://www.state.de.us/sos/sos.shtml
Delaware Div of Libraries
43 S DuPont Hwy
Dover, DE 19901
302-739-4748
fax: 302-739-6787
http://state.lib.de.us/
Florida
Twenty-seventh state; admitted on March 3, 1845 (seceded from the Union on January 10, 1861, and was readmitted on June 25, 1868)
Florida does not hold regular admission day celebrations, but a centennial observance did occur in 1945. A three-cent stamp was issued, schools gave presentations, and there were local exhibits and commemorations. The Library of Congress hosted an exhibit on Florida from March 3 through May 31.
SEE ALSO PASCUA FLORIDA DAY
State capital: Tallahassee
Nicknames: The Sunshine State; Alligator State; Everglades State; Southernmost State; Orange State
State motto: In God We Trust
State animal: Florida panther (Felis concolor)
State beverage: Orange juice
State bird: Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
State butterfly: Zebra longwing
State fish: freshwater: Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides); saltwater: Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)
State flower: Orange blossom; wildflower: Coreopsis
State gem: Moonstone
State marine mammals: Manatee (Trichechus manatus) and porpoise (dolphin) (Tursiops truncatus)
State reptile: American alligator (alligator mississippiensis) State shell: Horse conch (Pleuroploca gigantea)
State soil: Myakka fine sand
State song: “Old Folks at Home” (also known as “Swanee River”)
State stone: Agatized coral
State tree: Sabal palm (Sabal palmetto)
More about state symbols at:
http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/facts/symbols/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 181 AnnivHol-2000, p. 38
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.myflorida.com
Office of the Governor State Capitol Tallahassee, FL 32399 850-488-4441 fax: 850-487-0801 http://www.myflorida.com
Secretary of State 500 S Bronough St Tallahassee , FL 32399 850-245-6500 fax: 850-245-6125 http://www.dos.state.fl.us
State Library of Florida 500 S Bronough St Tallahassee, FL 32399 850-245-6600 fax: 850-245-6651 http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/stlib
Georgia
Fourth state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on January 2, 1788 (seceded from the Union on January 19, 1861, and was readmitted on July 15, 1870)
State capital: Atlanta
Nicknames: The Empire State of the South; The Peach State; The Goober State; The Peachtree State
State motto: Wisdom, Justice, Moderation
State amphibian: green tree frog
State art museum: Georgia Museum of Art
State atlas: Atlas of Georgia
State ballet: Atlanta Ballet
State beef cook off: Shoot the Bull
State bird: Brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)
State botanical garden: State Botanical Garden of Georgia
State butterfly: Tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
State creed: Georgian’s creed
State crop: Peanut
State fish: Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
State flower: Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata); wildflower: Azalea (Rhododendron)
State folk dance: Square dance
State folk festival: Georgia Folk Festival
State folk life play: Swamp Gravy
State fossil: Shark tooth
State fruit: Peach
State game bird: Bobwhite quail
State gem: Quartz
State historic drama: The Reach of Song
State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
State marine mammal: Right whale (Baleana glacialin)
State mineral: Staurolite
State musical theater: Jekyll Island Musical Theater Festival
State peanut monument: Turner County Peanut Monument
State pork cook off: Slosheye Trail Big Pig Jig
State ‘possum: Pogo ‘possum
State poultry: “Poultry Capital of the World”
State prepared food: Grits
State railroad museum: Historic Railroad Shops
State reptile: Gopher tortoise
State seashell: Knobbed whelk (Busycon carica)
State school: Plains High School
State song: “Georgia on My Mind”
State tartan: Georgia tartan
State theater: Springer Opera House
State transportation history museum: Southeastern Railway Museum
State tree: Live oak (Quercus virginiana)
State vegetable: Vidalia sweet onion
State waltz: “Our Georgia”
More about state symbols at:
http://sos.georgia.gov/state_symbols/state_symbols.html
More about the state at:
http://sos.georgia.gov/archives
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 14
AnnivHol-2000, p. 3
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.georgia.gov
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Rm 203
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-1776
fax: 404-657-7332
http://www.gov.state.ga.us
Secretary of State
State Capitol
Rm 214
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-2881
fax: 404-656-0513
http://www.sos.state.ga.us
Georgia Public Library Services
1800 Century Pl
Suite 150
Atlanta, GA 30345
404-982-3560
fax: 404-982-3563
http://www.georgialibraries.org
Hawaii
Fiftieth state; admitted on August 21, 1959
Hawaii’s admission day anniversary is observed as a state holiday on the third Friday in August every year.
State capital: Honolulu
Nicknames: Aloha State; Paradise of the Pacific; Pineapple State
State motto: Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono (Hawaiian “The Life of the Land Is Perpetuated in Righteousness”)
State bird: Nene (pronounced nay-nay) or Hawaiian goose (Nesochen sandvicensis)
State fish: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (not official; rectangular trigger fish, Rhinecantus aculeatus)
State flower: Pua aloalo (Yellow hibiscus, Hibiscus brackenridgei)
State gem: Black coral
State language: English and Hawaiian
State mammal: Hawaiian monk seal (ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua; Monachus schauinslandi)
State marine mammal: Humpback whale
State song: “Hawaii Ponoi”
State tree: Kukui (Candlenut, Aleurites moluccana)
More about state symbols at:
http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/economic/library/facts/photos
More about the state at:
http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/economic/library/facts/state
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 600 AnnivHol-2000, p. 146
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.hawaii.gov
Office of the Governor 415 S Beretania St State Capitol Honolulu, HI 96813 808-586-0034 fax: 808-586-0006 http://gov.state.hi.us
Hawaii State Public Library 478 S King St Honolulu, HI 96813 808-586-3505 http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/hspls
Idaho
Forty-third state; admitted on July 3, 1890
In 1963, Idaho held a centennial celebration marking the anniversary of its becoming a territory of the United States. From June 27 to July 6, numerous activities were sponsored by more than 165 organizations in the Boise area, including “Old Fashioned Bargain Days,” balls, parades, singing, street dancing, fireworks, a rifle shoot, sports events, an art exhibit, rodeo, picnics, a poetry reading, an air show, and a historical pageant presenting memorable episodes from the state’s history.
State capital: Boise
Nickname: Gem State
State motto: Esto perpetua (Latin “Let it be perpetual”)
State bird: Mountain bluebird (Sialia arctcia)
State fish: Cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki)
State flower: Syringa (Philadelphus lewisii)
State folk dance: Square dance
State fossil: Hagerman horse (Equus simplicidens)
State fruit: huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum)
State gem: Star garnet
State horse: Appaloosa
State insect: Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
State raptor: Peregrine falcon (falco peregrinus)
State song: “Here We Have Idaho”
State tree: Western white pine (Pinus monticola pinaceae)
State vegetable: Potato
More about state symbols at:
http://gov.idaho.gov/fyi/symbols/symbols_index.html
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 498
AnnivHol-2000, p. 111
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.idaho.gov
Office of the Governor
State Capitol Bldg
2nd Fl
Boise, ID 83720
208-334-2100
fax: 208-334-3454
http://gov.idaho.gov
Secretary of State
700 W Jefferson St
Rm 203
Boise, ID 83720
208-334-2300
fax: 208-334-2282
http://www.idsos.state.id.us
Idaho Commission for Libraries
325 W State St
Boise, ID 83702
208-334-2150
fax: 208-334-4016
http://libraries.idaho.gov/
Illinois
Twenty-first state; admitted on December 3, 1818
The 150th, or sesquicentennial, anniversary of Illinois’ statehood was celebrated throughout the state during 1968. In December 1967, a year-long exhibit on Illinois history opened at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History. Miniature replicas of historic rooms—Carl Sandburg’s birthplace, Jane Addams’s Hull House office, and the Palmer House Hotel’s Silver Dollar Barber Shop of 1875—were on display in Carson Pirie Scott department stores. Lincoln’s birthday on February 12 was observed with programs commemorating his career in Illinois. On July 4, there was a parade, drama, musical events, fireworks, and speeches at Steeleville. As part of the year-long celebration, the Old State House in Springfield was restored.
State capital: Springfield
Nicknames: Prairie State; Land of Lincoln; Corn State
State motto: State Sovereignty, National Union
State animal: White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
State amphibian: Eastern tiger salamander
State bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
State dance: Square dance
State fish: Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
State flower: Violet (Viola)
State fossil: Tully Monster (Tullimonstrum gregarium)
State insect: Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
State mineral: Fluorite
State prairie grass: Big bluestem (Andropogon furcatus)
State reptile: Painted turtle
State song: “Illinois”
State tree: White oak (Quercus alba)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.illinois.gov/facts/symbolsdesc.cfm
http://www.state.il.us/kids/learn/symbols/default.htm
More about the state at:
http://www.illinois.gov/facts/history.cfm
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 809 AnnivHol-2000, p. 201
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.illinois.gov
Office of the Governor State Capitol Bldg Rm 207 Springfield, IL 62706 217-782-6830 fax: 217-782-1853 http://www.illinois.gov/gov
Secretary of State State Capitol Bldg Rm 213 Springfield, IL 62756 217-782-2201 fax: 217-785-0358 http://www.sos.state.il.us
Illinois State Library 300 S 2nd St Springfield, IL 62701 217-782-2994 fax: 217-785-4326 http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/home.html
Indiana
Nineteenth state; admitted on December 11, 1816
Indiana Day, December 11, is not a legal holiday, but has been observed sporadically since Indiana’s General Assembly proclaimed the holiday in February 1925. Schools often hold commemorative programs. The sesquicentennial anniversary in 1966, however, was marked throughout that year with historical pageants and recreations of such notable events as the signing of the state’s constitution.
State capital: Indianapolis
Nickname: Hoosier State
State motto: The Crossroads of America
State bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
State flower: Peony (Paeonia)
State language: English
State poem: “Indiana”
State river: Wabash
State song: “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away”
State stone: Indiana limestone
State tree: Tulip tree (yellow poplar; Liriodendron tulipfera)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.in.gov/history/2522.htm
More about the state at:
http://www.in.gov/about.htm
http://www.in.gov/history/5699.htm
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 825
AnnivHol-2000, p. 206
DictDays-1988, p. 59
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.in.gov
Office of the Governor
State House
200 W Washington St Rm 206
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-4567
fax: 317-232-3443
http://www.in.gov/gov
Secretary of State
State House
200 W Washington St Rm 201
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-6531
fax: 317-233-3283
http://www.in.gov/sos
Indiana State Library
140 N Senate Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-3675
fax: 317-232-3728
http://www.statelib.lib.in.us
Iowa
Twenty-ninth state; admitted on December 28, 1846
State capital: Des Moines
Nicknames: The Hawkeye State; The Corn State
State motto: Our Liberties We Prize, and Our Rights We Will Maintain
State bird: Eastern goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
State flower: Wild rose (Rosa pratincola)
State song: “The Song of Iowa”
State stone: Geode
State tree: Oak (Quercus)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Pubinfo/StateSymbols/ http://www.iowa.gov/state/main/facts.html
More about the state at:
http://www.iowahistory.org/index.html
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 859 AnnivHol-2000, p. 214
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.iowa.gov
Office of the Governor State Capitol Bldg Des Moines, IA 50319 515-281-5211 fax: 515-281-6611 http://www.governor.state.ia.us
Secretary of State 321 E 12th St 1st Fl Des Moines, IA 50319 515-281-5204 fax: 515-242-5953 http://www.sos.state.ia.us
Iowa State Library 112 E Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50319 515-281-4105 fax: 515-281-6191 http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org
Kansas
Thirty-fourth state; admitted on January 29, 1861
Kansas Day has been observed since 1877, most often in school programs about the state. The Kansas State Historical Society sponsors celebrations at the Kansas History Center in Topeka.
State capital: Topeka
Nicknames: Sunflower State; Wheat State; Jayhawk State
State motto: Ad Astra per Aspera (Latin “To the Stars Through Difficulties”)
State amphibian: Barred tiger salamander
State animal: American buffalo or bison (Bison bison)
State bird: Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
State flower: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
State march: “The Kansas March”
State reptile: Ornate box turtle
State song: “Home on the Range”
State tree: Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.kssos.org/resources/kansaskids_facts.html
http://www.kshs.org/kids/things/symbols/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 95 AnnivHol-2000, p. 16
CONTACT:
Kansas State Historical Society
6425 SW Sixth Ave.
Topeka, 66615-1099
785-272-8681
fax: 785-272-8682
TTY: 785-272-8683
http://www.kshs.org/you/ksday.htm
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.kansas.gov
Office of the Governor
State Capitol Bldg
2nd Fl
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-3232
fax: 785-296-7973
http://www.ksgovernor.org
Secretary of State
120 SW 10th Ave
1st Fl
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-4564
fax: 785-296-4570
http://www.kssos.org
Kansas State Library
300 SW 10th Ave
Capitol Bldg Rm 343N
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-3296
fax: 785-296-6650
http://skyways.lib.ks.us
Kentucky
Fifteenth state; admitted on June 1, 1792
Admission Day is not regularly observed in Kentucky, although festivities were held on the 100th, 150th, and 175th anniversaries of statehood.
State capital: Frankfort
Nicknames: The Bluegrass State; The Hemp State; The Tobacco State; The Dark and Bloody Ground
State motto: United We Stand, Divided We Fall
State bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
State amphitheater: Iroquois Amphitheater
State arboretum: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
State bluegrass song: “Blue Moon of Kentucky”
State botanical garden: University of Kentucky Arboretum
State bourbon festival: Kentucky Bourbon Festival
State butterfly: Viceroy
State center for celebration of African American heritage: Kentucky Center for African American Heritage
State covered bridge: Switzer covered bridge
State dance: Clogging
State drink: Milk
State fish: Kentucky spotted bass
State flower: Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis)
State fossil: Brachiopod
State fruit: blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis)
State gemstone: Fresh water pearl
State honey festival: Clarkson Honeyfest
State horse: Thoroughbred
State language: English
State mineral: Coal
State music: Bluegrass
State musical instrument: Appalachian Dulcimer
State outdoor musical: “The Stephen Foster Story”
State pipe band: Louisville Pipe Band
State rock: Kentucky agate
State science center: Louisville Science Center
State silverware pattern: “Old Kentucky Blue Grass, The Georgetown Pattern”
State song: “My Old Kentucky Home”
State soil: Crider soil series
State steam locomotive: Old 152
State theatre pipe organ: Kentucky Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer
State tree: Tulip Poplar (Lirodendroan tulipifera)
State tug-o-war championship: The Fordsville Tug-o-War Championship
State wild game animal species: Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.kdla.ky.gov/resources/KYSymbols.htm
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 411 AnnivHol-2000, p. 94 DictDays-1988, p. 113
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.kentucky.gov
Office of the Governor State Capitol Bldg 700 Capitol Ave Rm 100 Frankfort, KY 40601 502-564-2611 fax: 502-564-2517 http://governor.ky.gov
Secretary of State State Capitol Bldg 700 Capitol Ave Rm 152 Frankfort, KY 40601 502-564-3490 fax: 502-564-5687 http://sos.ky.gov
Kentucky Dept for Libraries & Archives 300 Coffee Tree Rd Frankfort, KY 40602 502-564-8300 fax: 502-564-5773 http://www.kdla.ky.gov
Louisiana
Eighteenth state; admitted on April 30, 1812 (seceded in 1861 and was readmitted on June 25, 1868)
State capital: Baton Rouge Nicknames: The Pelican State; The Bayou State; Fisher
man’s Paradise; Child of the Mississippi; Sugar State State motto: Union, Justice, and Confidence State amphibian: Green tree frog (Hyla cinerea) State bird: Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) State colors: Blue, white, and gold State crustacean: Crawfish State dog: Louisiana Catahoula leopard dog State drink: Milk State environmental song: “The Gifts of Earth” State flower: Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora); wildflower:
Louisiana iris (Giganticaerulea) State fossil: Petrified palm wood State freshwater fish: White perch (pomoxis annularis) State gem: Agate State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State mammal: Louisiana black bear State march song: “Louisiana My Home Sweet Home” State musical instrument: Diatonic (“Cajun”) accordion State painting: “Louisiana” State reptile: Alligator State songs: “Give Me Louisiana”; “You Are My Sunshine” State tree: Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/tabid/217/Default.aspx
More about the state at:
http://doa.louisiana.gov/about_history.htm
http://www.louisianapurchase2003.com
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 329
AnnivHol-2000, p. 71
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.louisiana.gov
Office of the Governor
PO Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
225-342-7015
fax: 225-342-7099
http://www.gov.state.la.us
Secretary of State
PO Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
225-922-1000
fax: 225-922-0002
http://www.sec.state.la.us
Louisiana State Library
701 N 4th St
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
225-342-4915
fax: 225-219-4725
http://www.state.lib.la.us
Maine
Twenty-third state; admitted on March 15, 1820
State capital: Augusta Nicknames: The Pine Tree State; The Lumber State; The
Border State; The Old Dirigo State
State motto: Dirigo (Latin “I lead”)
State animal: Moose (Alces alces)
State berry: Wild blueberry
State bird: Chickadee (Parus atricapillus)
State cat: Maine coon cat
State fish: Landlocked salmon (Salmo sala Sebago)
State flower: White pine cone and tassel (Pinus strobes, Linnaeus) State fossil: Pertica quadrifaria State gemstone: Tourmaline State herb: Wintergreen (Gaulthoria procumbens) State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State soil: Chesuncook Soil Series State soft drink: Moxie State song: “State of Maine Song” State tree: Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) State vessel: Schooner Bowdoin
More about state symbols at:
http://www.state.me.us/sos/kids/allabout/symbols/symbols.htm
http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/statehouse/symbols/Emblems.htm
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 204 AnnivHol-2000, p. 44
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.maine.gov
Office of the Governor 1 State House Stn Augusta, ME 04333 207-287-3531 fax: 207-287-1034 http://www.maine.gov/governor
Secretary of State 148 State House Stn Augusta, ME 04333 207-626-8400 fax: 207-287-8598 http://www.maine.gov/sos/
Maine State Library 64 State House Stn Augusta, ME 04333 207-287-5600 fax: 207-287-5615 http://www.state.me.us/msl
Maryland
Seventh state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on April 28, 1788
State capital: Annapolis Nicknames: The Old Line State; Free State State motto: Fatti maschii, parole femine (Latin “Strong deeds, gentle words”) State bird: Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) State boat: Skipjack State cat: Calico State crustacean: Maryland blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) State dinosaur: Astrodon johnstoni State dog: Chesapeake Bay retriever State drink: Milk State fish: Rockfish (Morone saxatilis) State flower: Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) State folk dance: Square dance State fossil shell: Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae State gem: Patuxent river stone State horse: Thoroughbred State insect: Baltimore checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton) State reptile: Diamondback terrapin turtle (Malaclemys terrapin) State song: “Maryland, My Maryland” State sport: Jousting State team sport: Lacrosse State summer theater: Olney Theatre (Montgomery County) State theater: Center State (Baltimore) State tree: White oak (Quercus alba)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/symbols/00list.html
http://www.mdkidspage.org/StateSymbols.htm
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 324
AnnivHol-2000, p. 70
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.maryland.gov
Office of the Governor
State House
100 State Cir
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-974-3901
fax: 410-974-3275
http://www.gov.state.md.us
Secretary of State
16 Francis St
Jeffery Bldg 1st Fl
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-974-5521
fax: 410-974-5190
http://www.sos.state.md.us
State Archives
350 Rowe Blvd
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-260-6400
fax: 410-974-2525
http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us
Massachusetts
Sixth state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on February 6, 1788
State capital: Boston
Nicknames: The (Old) Bay State; The Old Colony State; The Puritan State; The Baked Bean State; The Pilgrim State
State motto: Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem (Latin “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”)
Ode of the Commonwealth: “Ode to Massachusetts” State artist: Norman Rockwell State author and illustrator: Theodor Geisel State bean: Baked navy bean
State berry: Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
State beverage: Cranberry juice
State bird: Black-capped chickadee (Penthestes atricapillus)
State blues artist: Taj Mahal (Henry St. Clair Fredericks)
State building and monument stone: Granite
State cat: Tabby cat (Felis familiaris)
State ceremonial march: “The Road to Boston”
State children’s book: Make Way For Ducklings
State citizenry: Bay Staters
State colors: Blue, green and cranberry
State cookie: Chocolate chip
State designation of citizens: Bay Staters
State dessert: Boston cream pie
State dog: Boston terrier (Canis familiaris bostenensis)
State donut: Boston creme doughnut
State explorer rock: Dighton Rock
State fish: Cod (Gadus morrhua)
State flower: Mayflower (also called ground laurel or trailing arbutus, Epigaea regens)
State folk dance: Square dance
State folk hero: Johnny Appleseed
State folk song: “Massachusetts”
State fossil: Theropod dinosaur tracks
State game bird: Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
State gem: Rhodonite
State glee club song: “The Great State of Massachusetts”
State heroine: Deborah Sampson (1760-1827; while disguised as a man under the name of Robert Shurtleff, she fought with the Continental Army against the British)
State historical rock: Plymouth Rock
State horse: Morgan horse (Equus cabullus morganensis)
State insect: Ladybug (Hippodamia convergens)
State inventor: Benjamin Franklin
State Korean war memorial: Korean War Memorial (in Shipyard Park)
State marine mammal: Right whale (Eubabalena glacialis)
State MIA/POW memorial: MIA/POW Memorial (Bourne)
State mineral: Babingtonite
State muffin: Corn muffin
State patriotic song: “Massachusetts (Because of You Our Land Is Free)”
State peace statue: Orange Peace Statue
State poem: “Blue Hills of Massachusetts”
State polka song: “Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts”
State reptile: Garter snake
State rock: Roxbury pudding stone (Roxbury conglomerate)
State shell: New England neptune (Neptuna lyrata decemcostata)
State soil: Paxton soil series
State song: “All Hail to Massachusetts”
State sport: Basketball
State Southwest Asia war memorial: Southwest Asia War Memorial
State tartan: Bay State Tartan
State tree: American elm (Ulmus americana)
State vessel: Schooner Ernestina
State Vietnam War memorial: Vietnam War Memorial
More about state symbols at:
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cismaf/mf1a.htm
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 121 AnnivHol-2000, p. 23
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.mass.gov
Office of the Governor
State House
Executive Office Rm 360
Boston, MA 02133
617-725-4000
fax: 617-727-9725
http://www.mass.gov/gov
Secretary of the Commonwealth
State House
Rm 337
Boston, MA 02133
617-727-9180
fax: 617-742-4722
http://www.sec.state.ma.us
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
98 N Washington St
Boston, MA 02114
617-725-1860
fax: 617-421-9833
http://mblc.state.ma.us
Michigan
Twenty-sixth state; admitted on January 26, 1837
The anniversary of Michigan’s statehood was previously observed as Michigan Day, but is no longer a holiday.
State capital: Lansing
Nicknames: The Great Lakes State; The Wolverine State; Winter Wonderland; the Upper Peninsula is often referred to as the Land of Hiawatha
State motto: Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice (Latin “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you”) State bird: Robin (Turdus migratorius) State fish: Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) State flower: Apple blossom (Malus sylvestris); wildflower: Dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris) State fossil: Mastadon State game mammal: Whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) State gem: Greenstone (chlorastrolite) State reptile: Painted turtle (Chysemys picta) State soil: Kalkaska sand State song: “My Michigan” (official); “Michigan, My Michigan” (unofficial) State stone: Petoskey stone (Hexagonaria pericarnata) State tree: White pine (Pinus strobus)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.michigan.gov
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 90
AnnivHol-2000, p. 15
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.michigan.gov
Office of the Governor PO Box 30013 Lansing, MI 48909 517-373-3400 fax: 517-335-6863 http://www.michigan.gov/gov
Secretary of State 430 W Allegan St 4th Fl Lansing, MI 48918 517-373-2510 fax: 517-241-3442 http://www.michigan.gov/sos
Library of Michigan 702 W Kalamazoo St PO Box 30007 Lansing, MI 48909 517-573-5504 fax: 517-373-1580 http://www.libofmich.lib.mi.us
Minnesota
Thirty-second state; admitted on May 11, 1858
State capital: St. Paul Nicknames: North Star State; Gopher State; Bread and Butter State; The Land of 10,000 Lakes State motto: L’Etoile du Nord (French “The North Star”) State bird: Common loon (Gavia immer) State butterfly: Monarch (Danaus plexippus) State drink: Milk State fish: Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) State flower: Pink and white lady’s slipper (Cypripedium reginae) State fruit: Honeycrisp apple (Malus pumila cultivar Honeycrisp) State gem: Lake Superior agate State grain: Wild rice or manomin (Zizania aquatica or Zizania palustris) State muffin: Blueberry muffin State mushroom: Morel or sponge mushroom (Morchella esculenta) State photograph: “Grace” State song: “Hail! Minnesota” State tree: Norway (red) pine (Pinus resinosa)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/student/symbols.html
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Symbols.asp
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 357 AnnivHol-2000, p. 80
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.state.mn.us
Office of the Governor 130 State Capitol 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Saint Paul, MN 55155 651-296-3391 fax: 651-296-2089 http://www.governor.state.mn.us
Secretary of State
60 Empire Dr
Suite 100
Saint Paul, MN 55103
651-296-2803
fax: 651-215-0682
http://www.sos.state.mn.us
Mississippi
Twentieth state; admitted on December 10, 1817 (seceded on January 9, 1861, and was readmitted on February 23, 1870)
No admission day celebrations occur, but in 1917 the state held centennial ceremonies including speeches and music. On the sesquicentennial, or 150th, anniversary in 1967, there were exhibits at the Old Capitol Building museum, and efforts got underway to preserve state historical documents (including appropriating $1,120,000 for building a new archives center).
State capital: Jackson Nicknames: The Magnolia State; Eagle State; Border-Eagle
State; Bayou State; Mud-cat State State motto: Virtute et armis (Latin “By valor and arms”) State beverage: Milk State bird: Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) State butterfly: Spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) State dance: Square dance State fish: Largemouth or black bass (Micropterus salmoides) State flower: Magnolia blossom (Magnolia grandiflora);
wildflower: Coreopsis State fossil: Prehistoric whale State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State mammal: land: White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virgini
anus); water: Bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) State reptile: Alligator State shell: Oyster shell (Crassostrea virginica) State song: “Go, Mississippi” State stone: Petrified wood State toy: Teddy bear State tree: Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) State waterfowl: Wood duck (Aix sponsa)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.its.state.ms.us/et/portal/MSSymbols/symbols.htm
http://www.visitmississippi.org/resources/state_symbols.asp
More about the state at:
http://www.ms.gov/about_ms.jsp
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 822
AnnivHol-2000, p. 205
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.mississippi.gov
Office of the Governor
PO Box 139
Jackson, MS 39205
601-359-3150
fax: 601-359-3741
http://www.governorbarbour.com
Secretary of State PO Box 136 Jackson, MS 39205 601-359-1350 fax: 601-359-1499 http://www.sos.state.ms.us
Mississippi Library Commission 1221 Ellis Ave Jackson, MS 39209 601-961-4111 fax: 601-354-4181 http://www.mlc.lib.ms.us
Archives & History Dept PO Box 571 Jackson, MS 39205 601-576-6850 fax: 601-576-6899 http://www.mdah.state.ms.us
Missouri
Twenty-fourth state; admitted on August 10, 1821
State capital: Jefferson City Nickname: Show Me State State motto: Salus populi suprema lex esto (Latin “Let the
welfare of the people be the supreme law”) State amphibian: American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) State bird: Bluebird (Sialia sialis) State day: Missouri Day, third Wednesday in October State dinosaur: Hadrosaur or duck-billed (Hypsibema mis
souriense) State fish: Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) State flower: Hawthorn blossom (Crataegus) State folk dance: Square dance State fossil: Crinoid (Delocrinus missouriensis) State grape: Norton/Cynthiana grape (Vitis Aestivalis) State horse: Missouri fox trotting horse State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State land animal: Missouri mule; aquatic animal: Paddle
fish State mineral: Galena State musical instrument: Fiddle State rock: Mozarkite (chert or flint rock) State song: “Missouri Waltz” State tree: Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) State tree nut: Eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.sos.mo.gov/symbols/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 579 AnnivHol-2000, p. 134
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.missouri.gov
Office of the Governor PO Box 720 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-751-3222 fax: 573-751-1495 http://www.gov.state.mo.us
Secretary of State
PO Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-4936
fax: 573-526-4903
http://www.sos.state.mo.us
Missouri State Library
600 W Main St
PO Box 387
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-3615
fax: 573-526-1142
http://www.sos.mo.gov/library
Montana
Forty-first state; admitted on November 8, 1889
State capital: Helena Nicknames: Treasure State; Big Sky Country; Bonanza
State; Land of Shining Mountains; Mountain State State motto: Oro y Plata (Spanish “Gold and Silver”) State animal: Grizzly bear (Ursus (arctos) horribilis) State ballad: “Montana Melody” State bird: Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) State butterfly: Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) State fish: Black-spotted cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki) State flower: Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) State fossil: Duck-billed dinosaur (Maiasaura peeblesorum) State gems: Yogo sapphire; Montana agate State grass: Bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) State song: “Montana” State tree: Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)
More about state symbols at:
http://mhs.mt.gov/education/studentguide/Symbols.asp
http://www.montanakids.com/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 762
AnnivHol-2000, p. 187
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.mt.gov
Office of the Governor
PO Box 200801
Helena, MT 59620
406-444-3111
fax: 406-444-4151
http://www.governor.mt.gov
Secretary of State
PO Box 202801
Helena, MT 59620
406-444-2034
fax: 406-444-3976
http://www.sos.state.mt.us
Montana State Library
1515 E 6th Ave
PO Box 201800
Helena, MT 59620
406-444-3115
fax: 406-444-0266
http://msl.state.mt.us
Nebraska
Thirty-seventh state; admitted on March 1, 1867
Nebraska’s admission day anniversary is marked as State Day. On March 1 every year, state law requires the governor to issue a proclamation about the anniversary and call on citizens to celebrate. Schools may mark the occasion with programs about the state’s history. The centennial celebration was held during much of 1967 with festivals, rodeos, pageants, and exhibits.
State capital: Lincoln Nicknames: Cornhusker State; Tree Planters’ State State motto: Equality Before the Law State ballad: “A Place Like Nebraska” State baseball capital: Wakefield State beverage: milk State bird: Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) State Christmas tree: Colorado blue spruce (planted near
the capital in 1876) State fish: Channel cutfish (Ictalurus punctatus) State flower: Goldenrod (Solidago serotina) State folk dance: Square dance State fossil: Mammoth State gem: Blue agate (blue chalcedony) State grass: Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium),
also called “bunch grass” or “beard grass” State historic baseball capital: St. Paul State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State mammal: Whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) State poet laureate: John G. Neihardt State river: Platte River State rock: Prairie agate State slogan: “Battle born” State soil: Holdrege series (Typic arguistolls) State soft drink: Kool-Aid State song: “Beautiful Nebraska” State tartan: Nevada Tartan State tree: Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) State village of lights: Cody
More about state symbols at:
http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/bestofweb/statesymbols.html
More about the state at:
http://nebraskalegislature.gov/web/public/bluebook
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 174 AnnivHol-2000, p. 36
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.nebraska.gov
Office of the Governor PO Box 94848 Lincoln, NE 68509 402-471-2244 fax: 402-471-6031 http://gov.nol.org
Secretary of State PO Box 94608 Lincoln, NE 68509 402-471-2554 fax: 402-471-3237 http://www.sos.state.ne.us
Nebraska State Library
PO Box 98931
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-3189
fax: 402-471-1011
http://www.nlc.state.ne.us
Nevada
Thirty-sixth state; admitted on October 31, 1864
Nevada Day is a legal holiday throughout the state observed the last Friday in October, but the most festive celebrations take place in Carson City, where the Admission Day parade has been held since 1938. There are historical Indian pageants, a costume ball, a Miss Nevada crowning, dancing, picnicking, games, and other events. Students have entered a historical essay contest since 1959, and the winners are awarded during the festivities.
State capital: Carson City Nicknames: Silver State; Sagebrush State; Battle-Born State State motto: All for Our Country State animal: Desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) State artifact: Tule duck State bird: Mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) State colors: Silver and blue State fish: Lahontan cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki henshawi) State flower: Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) State fossil: Ichthyosaur (Shonisaurus) State grass: Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) State metal: Silver State precious gemstone: Virgin Valley Black Fire opal State reptile: Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) State rock: Sandstone State semi-precious gemstone: Turquoise State soil: Orovada series State song: “Home Means Nevada” State trees: Single-leaf piñon (Pinus monophylla) and Bristle
cone pine (Pinus aristata)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/General/FACTS.cfm
http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/nsla/services/nvfacts.htm
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 743
AnnivHol-2000, p. 180
DictDays-1988, p. 81
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.nv.gov
Office of the Governor
101 N Carson St
Carson City, NV 89701
775-684-5670
fax: 775-684-5683
http://gov.state.nv.us
Secretary of State
101 N Carson St
Suite 3
Carson City, NV 89701
775-684-5708
fax: 775-684-5725 http://sos.state.nv.us
Nevada State Library & Archives 100 N Stewart St Carson City, NV 89701 775-684-3360 fax: 775-684-3330 http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/nsla
New Hampshire
Ninth state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on June 21, 1788
State capital: Concord
Nicknames: The Granite State; The Mother of Rivers;
Switzerland of America; White Mountain State State motto: Live Free or Die State amphibian: Spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) State animal: White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) State bird: Purple finch (Carpodacus purpureus) State butterfly: Karner blue (Lycaeides melissa, subspecies
samuelis) State flower: Purple lilac (Syringa vulgaris); wildflower: Pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule) State freshwater fish: Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis);
saltwater game fish: Striped bass (Roccus saxatilis) State fruit: Pumpkin State gem: Smoky quartz State insect: Ladybug (Hippodamia convergens) State mineral: Beryl State rock: Granite State song: “Old New Hampshire” State sport: Skiing State tartan: New Hampshire tartan State tree: White birch (Betula papyrifera)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.nh.gov/nhinfo/ http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/misc/kids.html
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 466 AnnivHol-2000, p. 103
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.nh.gov
Office of the Governor State House 107 N Main St Rm 208 Concord, NH 03301 603-271-2121 fax: 603-271-7680 http://www.nh.gov/governor
Secretary of State 107 N Main St State House Rm 204 Concord, NH 03301 603-271-3242 fax: 603-271-6316 http://www.sos.nh.gov
New Hampshire State Library 20 Park St
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-2144
fax: 603-271-2205
http://www.nh.gov/nhsl
New Jersey
Third state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on December 18, 1787
State capital: Trenton
Nickname: The Garden State
State motto: Liberty and Prosperity
State animal: Horse (Equus caballus)
State bird: Eastern goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
State dance: Square dance
State dinosaur: Hadrosaurus foulki
State fish: Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
State flower: Purple violet (Viola sororia)
State fruit: Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
State memorial tree: Dogwood (Cornus florida)
State shell: Knobbed whelk (Busycon Caricagmelin)
State ship: A.J. Meerwald
State tree: Red oak (Quercus borealis maxima)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/kids/index.asp
http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/facts/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 837
AnnivHol-2000, p. 210
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.newjersey.gov
Office of the Governor
125 W State St
Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-6000
fax: 609-292-3454
http://www.state.nj.us/governor
Secretary of State
125 W State St
PO Box 300
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-984-1900
fax: 609-292-7665
http://www.state.nj.us/state
New Jersey State Library
185 N State St
PO Box 520
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-6200
fax: 609-292-2746
http://www.state.nj.us/statelibrary/njlib.htm
New Mexico
Forty-seventh state; admitted on January 6, 1912
New Mexico does not regularly observe the anniversary of its statehood, but in 1972, the 60th anniversary of its admission to the U.S., a commemoration was held in Santa Fe. There was a reception at the Palace of Governors, where members of the Sociedad Folklórica dressed in costumes of the 1910s.
State capital: Santa Fe Nickname: Land of Enchantment State motto: Crescit Eundo (Latin “It Grows as It Goes”) State aircraft: Hot air balloon State amphibian: Mexico spadefoot (Spea multiplicata) State ballad: “Land of Enchantment—New Mexico” State balloon museum: Anderson-Abruzzo International
Balloon Museum State bilingual song: “New Mexico—Mi Lindo Nuevo Mexico” State bird: Chaparral bird or roadrunner (Geococcyx califor
nianus) State butterfly: Sandia hairstreak (Callophrys mcfarlandi) State cookie: Bizcochito State fish: Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Salmo clerki) State flower: Yucca flower (Yucca glauca) State fossil: Coelophysis dinosaur State gem: Turquoise State grass: Blue grama (Bouteloua gracillis) State insect: Tarantula hawk wasp (Pepsis formosa) State mammal: Black bear (Ursus americanus) State poem: “A Nuevo Mexico” (“To New Mexico”) State question: “Red or Green?” (refers to which chile one
prefers) State reptile: New Mexico whiptail (Cnemidophorus neomex
ianus) State slogan: “Everybody is somebody in New Mexico.” State songs: “O, Fair New Mexico” and “Asi es Nuevo
Mejico” State tie: Bolo tie State train: Cumbres & Toltec Railroad State tree: Piñon or nut pine (Pinus edulis) State vegetables: Chile (Capsicum annum) and frijol or pinto
bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.sos.state.nm.us/KidsCorner/index.html
More about the state at:
http://www.newmexicohistory.org/ http://www.newmexico.gov/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 29 AnnivHol-2000, p. 5
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.state.nm.us
Office of the Governor State Capitol Bldg 490 Santa Fe Trail Rm 400 Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-827-3000 fax: 505-476-2226 http://www.governor.state.nm.us
Secretary of State 325 Don Gaspar Ave Suite 300 Santa Fe, NM 87503 505-827-3600 fax: 505-827-8081 http://www.sos.state.nm.us
New Mexico State Library 1209 Camino Carlos Rey Santa Fe, NM 87507 505-476-9700 http://www.nmstatelibrary.org
New York
Eleventh state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on July 26, 1788
Capital: Albany Nickname: The Empire State State motto: Excelsior (Latin “Ever upward”) State animal: Beaver (Castor canadensis) State beverage: Milk State bird: Bluebird (Sialia sialis) State bush: Lilac State freshwater fish: Brook or speckled trout (Salvelinus
fontinalis); saltwater: Striped bass State flower: Rose (genus Rosa) State fossil: Eurypterus remipes (distant relative of the
horseshoe crab) State fruit: Apple (Malus sylvestris) State gem: Garnet State insect: Ladybug (Hippodamia convergens) State muffin: Apple muffin State reptile: Common snapping turtle State shell: Bay scallop (Agropecten irradians) State tree: Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/kids_room/index.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1887.html
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 545 AnnivHol-2000, p. 123
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.state.ny.us
Office of the Governor State Capitol Executive Chamber Albany, NY 12224 518-474-8390 fax: 518-474-1513 http://www.state.ny.us/governor
Secretary of State 41 State St Albany, NY 12231 518-474-0050 fax: 518-474-4765 http://www.dos.state.ny.us
New York State Library Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12230 518-474-5355 fax: 518-474-5786 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov
North Carolina
Twelfth state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on November 21, 1789 (joined the Confederacy on May 20, 1861, and was readmitted to the Union on June 25, 1868)
State capital: Raleigh Nicknames: The Tarheel State; Old North State; Turpentine State State motto: Esse quam videri (Latin “To be rather than to
seem”) State beverage: Milk State bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) State birthplace of traditional pottery: Seagrove area State blue berry: Blueberry; red berry: Strawberry State boat: Shad boat State carnivorous plant: Venus flytrap State Christmas tree: Fraser fir State colors: Red and blue State folk dance: Clogging; popular dance: Shag State dog: Plott hound (Canis familiaris) State fish: Channel bass (Sciaenops ocellatus) State flower: Dogwood blossom (Cornus florida); wild
flower: Carolina lily (Lilium michauxii) State freshwater trout: Southern Appalachian brook trout State fruit: Scuppernong grape State gemstone: Emerald State historical boat: Shad boat State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State mammal: Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) State reptile: Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) State rock: Granite State shell: Scotch bonnet (Phalium granulatum) State song: “The Old North State” State tartan: Carolina tartan State toast: “Tar Heel Toast” State tree: Pine (Pinus palustris) State vegetable: Sweet potato (Ipornoea batatas)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.naturalsciences.org/funstuff/ncsymbols/symbols.html
http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/kidspg/homepage.asp
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 782 AnnivHol-2000, p. 194
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.ncgov.com
Office of the Governor 166 W Jones St 20301 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699 919-733-5811 fax: 919-733-2120 http://www.governor.state.nc.us
Secretary of State PO Box 29622 Raleigh, NC 27699 919-807-2005 fax: 919-807-2010 http://www.secstate.state.nc.us
North Carolina State Library
109 E Jones St
Raleigh, NC 27699
919-807-7400
fax: 919-733-8748
http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us
North Dakota
Thirty-ninth state; admitted on November 2, 1889
State capital: Bismarck Nicknames: Flickertail State; Peace Garden State; Roughrider State State motto: Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One
and Inseparable State beverage: Milk State bird: Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) State dance: Square dance State fish: Northern pike (Esox lucius) State flower: Wild prairie rose (Rosa blanda or R. arkansana) State fossil: Teredo petrified wood State fruit: Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) State grass: Western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) State honorary equine: Nokota horse State language: English State march: “Flickertail March” State song: “North Dakota Hymn” State tree: American elm (Ulmus americana)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.nd.gov/category.htm?id=75
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 748
AnnivHol-2000, p. 184
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.nd.gov
Office of the Governor
600 E Boulevard Ave
Dept 101
Bismarck, ND 58505
701-328-2200
fax: 701-328-2205
http://governor.state.nd.us
Secretary of State
600 E Boulevard Ave
Dept 108
Bismarck, ND 58505
701-328-2900
fax: 701-328-2992
http://www.nd.gov/sos/
North Dakota State Library
604 East Blvd
Dept 250
Bismarck, ND 58505
701-328-2492
fax: 701-328-2040
http://ndsl.lib.state.nd.us
Ohio
Seventeenth state; admitted on March 1, 1803
State capital: Columbus Nicknames: Buckeye State; Mother of Presidents; Gateway
State State motto: With God All Things Are Possible State animal: White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) State beverage: Tomato juice State bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) State groundhog: Buckeye Chuck State flower: Scarlet carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus);
wildflower: Large white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) State fossil: Trilobite (Isotelus) State gemstone: Ohio flint State herb capital: Gahanna State insect: Ladybird beetle (ladybug, Hippodamia
convergens) State poetry day: Ohio Poetry Day (third Friday of every
October) State prehistoric monument: Newark earthworks State reptile: Black racer snake (Coluber constrictor constric
tor) State rock song: “Hang on Sloopy” State song: “Beautiful Ohio” State tree: Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.governorsresidence.ohio.gov/children/symbols.aspx
http://oplin.lib.oh.us/ohiodefined/symbols.html
More about the state at:
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 175 AnnivHol-2000, p. 36
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.ohio.gov
Office of the Governor 77 S High St 30th Fl Columbus, OH 43215 614-466-3555 fax: 614-466-9354 http://governor.ohio.gov
Secretary of State 180 E Broad St 16th Fl Columbus, OH 43215 614-466-2655 fax: 614-644-0649 http://www.sos.state.oh.us
State Library of Ohio 274 E 1st Ave Columbus, OH 43201 614-644-7061 fax: 614-466-3584 http://winslo.state.oh.us
Oklahoma
Forty-sixth state; admitted on November 16, 1907
Since 1921, November 16 has been designated Oklahoma Statehood Day. It has also been Oklahoma State Flag Day since 1968. In 1957, in honor of the 50th anniversary of statehood, the state legislature decreed the week of November 1116 to be Oklahoma Week. In 1965, the lawmakers mandated public schools to conduct programs on the state’s history and achievements on November 16. Annual observance of Oklahoma Statehood Day began in 1921 under the sponsorship of the Oklahoma Heritage Association, which continues to hold a dinner at the state capital at which notable Oklahomans are inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Oklahoma Statehood Day is also observed annually with a ceremony at the Washington Cathedral in the nation’s capital.
SEE ALSO OKLAHOMA DAY
State capital: Oklahoma City Nickname: The Sooner State State motto: Labor omnia vincit (Latin “Labor conquers all
things”) State animal: American buffalo (Bison bison) State amphibian: Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) State beverage: Milk State bird: Scissor-tailed flycatcher (Muscivora forficatus) State butterfly: Black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) State cartoon character: Gusty State children’s song: “Oklahoma, My Native Land” State colors: Green and white State country and western song: “Faded Love” State crystal: Hourglass Selenite Crystal State fish: White (sand) bass (Morone chrysops) State floral emblem: Mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum) State flower: Oklahoma Rose; wildflower: Indian blanket
(Gaillardia pulchella) State flying mammal: Mexican free-tailed bat State folk dance: Square dance State fossil: Saurophaganax Maximus State fruit: Strawberry State furbearer: Raccoon State game animal: White-tailed deer State game bird: Wild turkey State grass: Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State meal: Fried Okra, Squash, Cornbread, Barbeque Pork,
Biscuits, Sausage & Gravy, Grits, Corn, Strawberries,
Chicken Fried Steak, Black-eyed Peas, and Pecan Pie State monument: The Golden Driller State musical instrument: Fiddle State percussive musical instrument: Drum State poem: “Howdy Folks” State reptile: Collared lizard (mountain boomer, Crotaphy
tus collaris) State rock: Barite rose (rose rock or Cherokee rose) State soil: Port Silt Loam (Cumulic haplustolls) State song: “Oklahoma!” State theater: Lynn Riggs Players of Oklahoma, Inc. State tree: Redbud (Cercis canadensis) State vegetable: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) State waltz: “Oklahoma Wind”
More about state symbols at:
http://www.okhistory.org/kids/aboutok.html
http://www.ok.gov/osfdocs/stinfo.html
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 773 AnnivHol-2000, p. 192
CONTACT:
Oklahoma Heritage Association 201 NW 14th St Oklahoma City, 73103 888-501-2059 405-235-4458 http://www.oklahomaheritage.com/ oha@telepath.com
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.ok.gov
Office of the Governor State Capitol Rm 212 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-521-2342 fax: 405-521-3353 http://www.governor.state.ok.us
Secretary of State 2300 N Lincoln Blvd Rm 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-521-3912 fax: 405-521-3771 http://www.sos.state.ok.us
Oklahoma Dept of Libraries 200 NE 18th St Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-521-2502 fax: 405-525-7804 http://www.odl.state.ok.us
Oregon
Thirty-third state; admitted on February 14, 1859
While Admission Day is often commemorated by programs in schools, it is not a legal holiday in Oregon.
State capital: Salem Nicknames: Beaver State; Pacific Wonderland; Webfoot State
State motto: Alis volat propiis (Latin “She flies with her own wings”; motto since 1987); The Union (motto from 1859 to 1987)
State animal: Beaver (Castor canadensis) State beverage: Milk State bird: Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) State colors: Navy blue and gold State dance: Square dance State father: Dr. John McLoughlin (October 19, 1784 – Sep
tember 3, 1857) State fish: Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) State flower: Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) State fossil: Metasequoia (dawn redwood) State fruit: Pear (Pyrus communis) State gemstone: Oregon sunstone State insect: Oregon swallowtail butterfly (Papilio
oregonius)
State mother: Tabitha Moffatt Brown (May 1, 1780 – May 4, 1858) State mushroom: Pacific golden chanterelle (Cantharellus
formosus) State nut: Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) State rock: Thunderegg (geode) State seashell: Oregon hairy triton (Fusitriton oregonensis) State song: “Oregon, My Oregon” State tree: Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
More about state symbols at:
http://bluebook.state.or.us/kids/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 142
AnnivHol-2000, p. 27
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.oregon.gov
Office of the Governor
900 Court St NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-378-3111
fax: 503-378-6827
http://www.governor.state.or.us
Secretary of State
900 Court St NE
Rm 136
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1500
fax: 503-986-1616
http://www.sos.state.or.us
Oregon State Library
250 Winter NE State Library Bldg
Salem, OR 97301
503-378-4243
fax: 503-588-7119
http://oregon.gov/OSL
Pennsylvania
Second state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on December 12, 1787
State capital: Harrisburg Nicknames: Keystone State; Quaker State State motto: Virtue, Liberty, and Independence State animal: White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) State beverage: Milk State dog: Great Dane State fish: Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) State flagship: U.S. Brig Niagara State flower: Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) State fossil: Phacops rana State game bird: Ruffed grouse or partridge (Bonasa umbel
lus)
State insect: Firefly (Poturis pennsylvanica)
State plant: Penngift crownvetch (Coronilla varia)
State song: “Pennsylvania”
State tree: Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/pahist/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 827 AnnivHol-2000, p. 207
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.state.pa.us
Office of the Governor 225 Main Capitol Bldg Harrisburg, PA 17120 717-787-2500 fax: 717-772-8284 http://www.governor.state.pa.us
Secretary of the Commonwealth 302 North Office Bldg Harrisburg, PA 17120 717-787-6458 fax: 717-787-1734 http://www.dos.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Libraries 333 Market St Harrisburg, PA 17126 717-787-2646 fax: 717-772-3265 http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us
Rhode Island
Thirteenth state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on May 29, 1790
State capital: Providence Nicknames: The Ocean State; Little Rhody; Plantation State State motto: Hope State bird: Rhode Island red hen State drink: Coffee milk State flower: Violet (Viola palmata) State folk art: Charles I.D. Looff Carousel (Crescent Park
Carousel) State fruit: Rhode Island greening apple State mineral: Bowenite State rock: Cumberlandite State shell: Quahaug (Mercenaria mercenaria) State song: “Rhode Island, It’s for Me” State tall ship and flagship: USS Providence (replica) State tartan: Rhode Island State tree: Red maple (Acer rubrum) State yacht: Courageous
More about state symbols at:
http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/make-plans/for-students/ http://www.ri.gov/facts/factsfigures.php
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 401 AnnivHol-2000, p. 89
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.ri.gov
Office of the Governor State House Providence, RI 02903 401-222-2080
fax: 401-273-5729
http://www.governor.state.ri.us
Secretary of State
217 State House
Providence, RI 02903
401-222-2357
fax: 401-222-1356
http://www.state.ri.us
Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services
1 Capitol Hill
4th Fl
Providence, RI 02908
401-222-2726
fax: 401-222-4195
http://www.olis.state.ri.us
South Carolina
Eighth state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on May 23, 1788 (seceded from the Union in December 1860, and was readmitted on June 25, 1868)
State capital: Columbia Nicknames: The Palmetto State; The Rice State; The Swamp State; The Iodine State
State mottoes: Animis opibusque parati (Latin “Ready in soul and resource”); Dum spiro spero (Latin “While I breathe, I hope”)
State American folk dance: Square dance State amphibian: Spotted salamander (Ambystoma macu
latum) State animal: White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) State beverage: Milk State bird: Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) State botanical garden: Botanical Garden at Clemson Uni
versity State butterfly: Eastern tiger swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus) State dance: The shag State dog: Boykin spaniel State fish: Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) State flower: Carolina (yellow) jessamine (Gelsemium sem
pervirens) State fruit: Peach State gem: Amethyst State grass: Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) State hospitality beverage: South Carolina-grown tea State insect: Carolina mantid, or praying mantis (Mantis
religiosa) State music: The spiritual; popular music: Beach music State opera: Porgy and Bess State railroad museum: South Carolina Railroad Museum
in Fairfield County State reptile: Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) State shell: Lettered olive (Oliva sayana) State songs: “Carolina”; “South Carolina on My Mind” State spider: Carolina wolf spider (Hogna carolinensis) State stone: Blue granite State tree: Palmetto State waltz: Richardson Waltz State wild game bird: Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.scstatehouse.net/studentpage/
More about the state at:
http://sc.gov/Portal/Category/factsandhistory
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 383 AnnivHol-2000, p. 86
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.sc.gov
Office of the Governor PO Box 12267 Columbia, SC 29211 803-734-2100 fax: 803-734-5167 http://www.scgovernor.com
Secretary of State PO Box 11350 Columbia, SC 29211 803-734-2170 fax: 803-734-1661 http://www.scsos.com
South Carolina State Library PO Box 11469 Columbia, SC 29211 803-734-8666 fax: 803-734-8676 http://www.state.sc.us/scsl
South Dakota
Fortieth state; admitted on November 2, 1889
State capital: Pierre Nickname: Mount Rushmore State State motto: Under God the People Rule State animal: Coyote (Canis latrans) State bird: Ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) State dessert: Kuchen State fish: Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) State flower: American pasque or May Day flower (Pul
satilla hisutissima) State fossil: Triceratops State gem: Fairburn agate State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State jewelry: Black Hills gold State mineral: Rose quartz State soil: Houdek soil State song: “Hail, South Dakota” State sport: Rodeo State tree: Black Hills spruce (Picea glauca densata)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.state.sd.us/state/sdsym.htm
http://www.travelsd.com/about/facts.asp
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 750 AnnivHol-2000, p. 184
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.sd.gov/
Office of the Governor
500 E Capitol
Pierre, 57501-5070
605-773-3212
http://www.state.sd.us/governor
sdgov@state.sd.us
Secretary of State
500 E Capitol, Ste 204
Pierre, 57501-5070
605-773-3537
fax: 605-773-6580
http://www.sdsos.gov
sdsos@state.sd.us
State Library
Mercedes MacKay Bldg
800 Governors Dr
Pierre, 57501-2294
800-423-6665
605-773-3131
fax: 773-6962
http://library.sd.gov
library@state.sd.us
Tennessee
Sixteenth state; admitted on June 1, 1796 (seceded on June 8, 1861, and was readmitted on July 24, 1866)
In 1929, the state legislature designated June 1 as Statehood Day in Tennessee.
State capital: Nashville Nicknames: The Volunteer State; The Big Bend State; The
Mother of Southwestern Statesmen State motto: Agriculture and Commerce State agricultural insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State amphibian: Tennessee cave salamander (Gyrinophilu
palleucus) State animal: Raccoon (Procyon lotor) State aviation hall of fame: Tennessee Aviation Hall of
Fame State bird: Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) State butterfly: Zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) State commercial fish: Channel catfish (Ictalurus lacustris);
game fish: Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) State declamation: “I am Tennessee” State flower: cultivated: Purple iris (Genus Iridaceae); wild:
Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) State folk dance: Square dance State fossil: Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica State fruit: Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) State game bird: Bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) State gem: Tennessee pearl State horse: Tennessee Walking Horse State insects: Ladybug (Hippodamia convergens); firefly
(Photinus pyralls) State jamboree and crafts festival: Smithville Fiddlers’Jamboree and Crafts Festival
State paintings: Tennessee Treasures; Tennessee Treasures Too State poem: “Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee” State reptile: Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) State rocks: Limestone; agate State slogan: Tennessee—America at Its Best
State songs: “When It’s Iris Time in Tennessee”; “Tennessee Waltz”; “My Homeland, Tennessee”; “My Tennessee”; “Rocky Top”; “Tennessee”; “The Pride of Tennessee”
State tree: Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) State wild animal: Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
More about state symbols at:
http://tennessee.gov/sos/symbols/
More about the state at:
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 413 AnnivHol-2000, p. 94 DictDays-1988, p. 113
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.tennessee.gov
Office of the Governor State Capitol 1st Fl Nashville, TN 37243 615-741-2001 fax: 615-532-9711 http://www.tennessee.gov/governor
Secretary of State State Capitol 1st Fl Nashville, TN 37243 615-741-2819 fax: 615-532-9547 http://www.state.tn.us/sos
Tennessee State Library & Archives 403 7th Ave N Nashville , TN 37243 615-741-2764 fax: 615-741-6471 http://state.tn.us/tsla
Texas
Twenty-eighth state; admitted on December 29, 1845 (seceded from the Union on February 1, 1861, and was readmitted on March 30, 1870)
State capital: Austin Nickname: The Lone Star State State motto: Friendship State air force: Commemorative Air Force (formerly Con
federate Air Force) State bird: Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) State bread: Pan de campo State cooking implement: Cast iron dutch oven State dinosaurs: Brachiosaur sauropod and pleurocoelus State dish: Chili State dog breed: Blue Lacy State epic poem: “Legend of Old Stone Ranch” State fiber and fabric: Cotton State fish: Guadalupe bass State flower: Bluebonnet (Lupinus subcarnosus, Lupinus tex
ensis and all other varieties) State flower song: “Bluebonnets”
State footwear: Cowboy boot State flying mammal: Mexican free-tailed bat State folk dance: Square dance State fruit: Texas red grapefruit State gem: Texas blue topaz State gemstone cut: Lone star cut State grass: Sideoats Grama State health nut: Pecan State insect: Monarch butterfly State large mammal: Longhorn; small: Armadillo State maritime museum: Texas Maritime Museum State musical instrument: Guitar State native pepper: Chiltepin State native shrub: Texas purple sage State pastries: Sopaipilla; strudel State pepper: Jalapeno State petrified stone: Palmwood State plant: Prickly pear cactus State plays: The Lone Star; Texas; Beyond the Sundown; Fandangle
State precious metal: Silver
State railroad: Texas State Railroad
State reptile: Texas horned lizard
State rodeo drill team: Ghostriders
State song: “Texas, Our Texas”
State sport: Rodeo
State shell: Lightning whelk
State ship: USS Texas
State shrub: Crape myrtle
State snack: Tortilla chips and salsa
State tall ship: Elissa
State 10K: Texas Round-up 10K
State tartan: Texas Bluebonnet
State tie: Bolo tie
State tree: Pecan (Carya illinoensis)
State vegetable: Sweet onion
State vehicle: Chuck wagon
More about state symbols at:
http://www.texasonline.com/portal/tol/en/gov/1/4 http://www.senate.state.tx.us/kids/kids.htm
More about the state at:
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 867
AnnivHol-2000, p. 215
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.texas.gov
Office of the Governor
PO Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711
512-463-2000
fax: 512-463-1849
http://www.governor.state.tx.us
Secretary of State
PO Box 12697
Austin, TX 78711
512-463-5770
fax: 512-475-2761
http://www.sos.state.tx.us
Texas State Library 1201 Brazos Austin, TX 78701 512-463-5460 fax: 512-463-5436 http://www.tsl.state.tx.us
Utah
Forty-fifth state; admitted on January 4, 1896
State capital: Salt Lake City Nicknames: Beehive State; Salt Lake State; Crossroads of
the West State motto: Industry State animal: Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis) State bird: California gull (Larus californicus) State cooking pot: Dutch oven State emblem: Beehive State fish: Bonneville cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki) State flower: Sego lily (Calochortus nuttallii) State folk dance: Square dance State fossil: Allosaurus State fruit: Cherry State gem: Topaz State grass: Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) State historic vegetable: Sugar beet State hymn: “Utah, We Love Thee” State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State mineral: Copper State rock: Coal State song: “Utah, This Is The Place” State Star: Dubhe State tartan: Utah State Tartan State vegetable: Spanish sweet onion State tree: Blue spruce (Picea pungens)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.utah.gov/about/symbols.html
More about the state at:
http://www.utah.gov/about/ http://pioneer.utah.gov/utah_on_the_web/index.html
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 21 AnnivHol-2000, p. 4
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.utah.gov
Office of the Governor PO Box 142220 Salt Lake City, UT 84114 801-538-1000 fax: 801-538-1528 http://www.utah.gov/governor
Utah State Library 250 N 1950 West Suite A Salt Lake City, UT 84116 801-715-6777 fax: 801-715-6767 http://library.utah.gov
Vermont
Fourteenth state; admitted on March 4, 1791
Town meetings held all over the state on the first Tuesday in March serve in part to commemorate Vermont’s Admission Day.
State capital: Montpelier Nickname: The Green Mountain State State motto: Freedom and Unity State animal: Morgan horse State beverage: Milk State bird: Hermit thrush (Hylocichla guttata) State butterfly: Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) State fish: cold water: Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis);
warm water: Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) State flower: Red clover (Trifolium pratense) State fossil: White whale (Delphinapterus leucus) State fruit and pie: Apple State gem: Grossular garnet State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State mineral: Talc State rocks: Marble, granite, and slate State soil: Tunbridge soil series State song: “These Green Mountains” designated new state
song in 2000; old state song was “Hail, Vermont” State tree: Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
More about state symbols at:
http://dol.state.vt.us/www_root/000000/html/emblems.html
http://www.sec.state.vt.us/kids/symbols.html
More about the state at:
http://www.sec.state.vt.us/kids/pubs/history_facts_fun.pdf
http://www.sec.state.vt.us/kids/history.html
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 182
AnnivHol-2000, p. 39
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.vermont.gov
Office of the Governor
109 State St
5th Fl
Montpelier, VT 05609
802-828-3333
fax: 802-828-3339
http://www.vermont.gov/governor
Secretary of State
26 Terrace St
Drawer 9
Montpelier, VT 05609
802-828-2363
fax: 802-828-2496
http://www.sec.state.vt.us
Vermont Dept of Libraries
109 State St
Montpelier, VT 05609
802-828-3261
fax: 802-828-2199
http://dol.state.vt.us
Virginia
Tenth state; adopted the U.S. Constitution on June 25, 1788 (seceded from the Union in April 1861, and was readmitted on January 26, 1870)
State capital: Richmond Nicknames: Old Dominion; Mother of Presidents; Mother of Statesmen State motto: Sic semper tyrannis (Latin “Thus ever to
tyrants”) State beverage: Milk State bat: Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (= Plecotus)
townsendii virginianus) State bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) State boat: Chesapeake Bay Deadrise State dog: American foxhound State festival: Virginia Covered Bridge Festival. State fish: Brook trout (salvelinus fontinalis) State flower: American dogwood (Cornus florida) State folk dance: Square dance State folklore center: Blue Ridge Institute State fossil: Chesapecten jeffersonius (scallop) State insect: Tiger swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus
Linne) State shell: Oyster shell (Crassostraea virginica) State song: “Carry Me Back to Old Virginia” had been state
song since 1940; the state held a contest to choose a new song in 1998, but none has been selected (as of April, 2008)
State tree: American dogwood (Cornus florida)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.virginia.org/site/features.asp?FeatureID=138
http://www.virginia.gov/cmsportal2/facts_and_history_4096/facts_4104/trivia_facts.html
http://www.vatc.org/pr/facts/factsymbols.asp
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 476 AnnivHol-2000, p. 106
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.virginia.gov
Office of the Governor Capitol Bldg 3rd Fl Richmond, VA 23219 804-786-2211 fax: 804-371-6351 http://www.governor.virginia.gov
Secretary of the Commonwealth 830 E Main St 14th Fl Richmond, VA 23219 804-786-2441 fax: 804-371-0017 http://www.soc.state.va.us
Library of Virginia 800 E Broad St Richmond, VA 23219 804-692-3500 fax: 804-692-3594 http://www.lva.lib.va.us
Washington
Forty-second state; admitted on November 11, 1889
Admission Day is observed in Washington by closing public schools (however, schools are expected to hold special patriotic and historic programs on the preceding Friday). Former significant anniversaries of statehood—the 25th, 50th, and 75th—were commemorated with speeches (by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939) and ceremonies.
State capital: Olympia Nickname: Evergreen State State motto: Alki (unspecified American Indian language
“By and By”) State amphibian: Pacific chorus frog (Pseudacris regilla) State arboretum: Washington Park Arboretum State bird: Willow goldfinch or wild canary (Spinus tristis
salicamans) State colors: Green and gold State dance: Square dance State fish: Steelhead trout (Salmo gairdnerii) State flower: Coast or pink rhododendron (Rhododendron
macrophyllum) State folk song: “Roll on, Columbia, Roll on” State fossil: Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) State fruit: Apple (Malus sylvestris) State gem: Petrified wood State grass: Bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) State insect: Green darner dragonfly (Anax junius Drury) State marine mammal: Orca (Orcinus orca) State ship: Lady Washington State song: “Washington, My Home” State tartan: Washington State Tartan State tree: Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) State vegetable: Walla Walla sweet onion
More about state symbols at:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/Legislature/StateSymbols/
http://www.secstate.wa.gov/seal/symbols.aspx
More about the state at:
http://historylink.org/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 766
AnnivHol-2000, p. 189
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://access.wa.gov
Office of the Governor4
302 14th St SW
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504
360-902-4111
fax: 360-753-4110
http://www.governor.wa.gov
Secretary of State
PO Box 40220
Olympia, WA 98504
360-902-4151
fax: 360-586-5629
http://www.secstate.wa.gov
Washington State Library 6880 Capitol Blvd S Olympia, WA 98504 360-704-5200 fax: 360-586-7575 http://www.secstate.wa.gov/library
West Virginia
Thirty-fifth state; admitted on June 20, 1863
The centennial celebration took place throughout the state during the year of 1963 with parades, pageants, sporting events, historical exhibits and reenactments, various arts contests, musical events, fireworks, and, on June 20 at the capitol in Charleston, a speech by President John F. Kennedy.
SEE ALSO WEST VIRGINIA DAY
State capital: Charleston Nickname: The Mountain State State motto: Montani Semper Liberi (Latin “Mountaineers
are always free”) State animal: Black bear (Ursus (Euarctos) americanus) State bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) State butterfly: Monarch State colors: Old gold and blue State fish: Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) State flower: Great laurel or Rhodondendron (Rhododen
dron maximum) State fruit: Golden delicious apple State gem: Mississippian Fossil Coral (Lithostrotionella) State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera) State soil: Monongahela Silt Loam State songs: “The West Virginia Hills”; “West Virginia, My
Home Sweet Home”; “This Is My West Virginia” State tree: Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
More about state symbols at:
http://www.wvtourism.com/spec.aspx?pgID=77 http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Educational/Kids_Page/kids.html
More about the state at:
http://www.wv.gov/sec.aspx?pgID=27 http://www.wvtourism.com/spec.aspx?pgID=3
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 460 AnnivHol-2000, p. 103 DictDays-1988, p. 130
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://www.wv.gov
Office of the Governor State Capitol Bldg 1900 Kanawha Blvd E Charleston, WV 25305 304-558-2000 fax: 304-342-7025 http://www.wvgov.org
Secretary of State 1900 Kanawha Blvd E Bldg 1 Suite 157K
Charleston, WV 25305
304-558-6000
fax: 304-558-0900
http://www.wvsos.com
West Virginia Library Commission
1900 Kanawha Blvd E
Charleston, WV 25305
304-558-2041
fax: 304-558-2044
http://www.librarycommission.lib.wv.us
Wisconsin
Thirtieth state; admitted on May 29, 1848
State capital: Madison Nicknames: Badger State; America’s Dairyland; Copper
State State motto: Forward State animal: Badger (Taxidea taxus); wildlife animal:
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) domestic ani
mal: Dairy cow (Bos taurus)
State ballad: “Oh Wisconsin, Land of My Dreams”
State beverage: Milk
State bird: Robin (Turdus migratorius)
State dance: Polka
State dog: American water spaniel
State fish: Muskellunge (muskie, Esox masquinongy
Mitchell)
State flower: Wood violet (Viola papilionacea)
State fossil: Trilobite (Calymene celebra)
State fruit: Cranberry (vaccinium macrocarpon)
State grain: Corn (Zea mays)
State insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
State mineral: Galena
State rock: Red granite
State soil: Antigo silt loam
State song: “On, Wisconsin!”
State symbol of peace: Mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura
corolinensis linnaus)
State tree: Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
State waltz: “The Wisconsin Waltz”
More about state symbols at:
http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/core/wisconsin_state
_symbols.html
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/state/index.htm
More about the state at:
http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 400
AnnivHol-2000, p. 89
STATE OFFICES:
State web site:
http://www.wisconsin.gov
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
PO Box 7863
Madison, WI 53707
608-266-1212
fax: 608-267-8983
http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us
Secretary of State PO Box 7848 Madison, WI 53707 608-266-8888 fax: 608-266-3159 http://www.sos.state.wi.us
Wisconsin Dept of Public Instruction Library Services Div 125 S Webster St PO Box 7841 Madison, WI 53707 608-266-3390 fax: 608-267-1052 http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/
Wyoming
Forty-fourth state; admitted on July 10, 1890
State capital: Cheyenne
Nicknames: Equality State; Cowboy State; Big Wyoming
State motto: Equal Rights
State bird: Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
State coin: Golden dollar
State dinosaur: Triceratops
State fish: Cutthroat trout (Salmo clerki)
State flower: Indian paintbrush (Castilleja linariaefolia)
State fossil: Knightia
State gemstone: Jade (nephrite)
State icon: Bucking horse
State mammal: Bison (Bison bison)
State reptile: Horned toad (Douglassi brevirostre)
State song: “Wyoming”
State sport: Rodeo
State tree: Plains cottonwood (Populus sargentii)
More about state symbols at:
http://wyoming.gov/wyoinfo.asp
http://wyoming.gov/state/wyoming_news/general/general.asp
More about the state at:
http://wyoming.gov/about.asp
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 519 AnnivHol-2000, p. 115
STATE OFFICES:
State web site: http://wyoming.gov
Office of the Governor State Capitol 200 W 24th St Rm 124 Cheyenne, WY 82202 307-777-7434 fax: 307-632-3909 http://wyoming.gov/governor
Secretary of State 200 W 24th St Cheyenne, WY 82002 307-777-7378 fax: 307-777-6217 http://soswy.state.wy.us
Wyoming State Library 2301 Capitol Ave
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-6333
fax: 307-777-6289
http://www-wsl.state.wy.us
American Samoa
American Samoa has been a U.S. territory since 1899; its inhabitants are considered U.S. nationals.
Capital: Pago Pago Motto: Samoa—Muamua le Atua (Samoan “Samoa—Let God
Be First”)
Flower: Paogo (ulafala)
Plant: Ava (kava)
Song: “Amerika Samoa”
Tree: Paogo or pandanus
GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
Government web site:
http://americansamoa.gov
Office of the Governor
Executive Office Bldg
Third Floor, Utulei
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
011-684-633-4116
fax: 011-684-633-2269
http://americansamoa.gov/gov_office/gov_office.htm
Department of Local Government
011-684-633-5201
fax: 011-684-633-5590
Feleti Barstow Public Library
997687 Utulei Way
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
011-684-633-5816
fax: 011-684-633-5816
Guam
Guam has been a territory of the U.S. since 1898, but has been allowed autonomy in local affairs since 1950; native inhabitants are citizens of the U.S. but cannot vote in U.S. elections.
Capital: Hagatna (Agana)
Nicknames: Tano I’ManChanorro (Land of the Chamorros); Where America’s Day Begins; America’s Paradise in the Pacific
Bird: Totot (also known as the Mariana fruit dove or love bird; Ptilinopus roseicapilla) Flower: Puti tai nobio or bougainvillea (bougainvillea spectabilis)
Hymn: “Guam Hymn” (“Fanohge Chamorro”)
Languages: Chamorro; English
Tree: Ifil or Ifit (Intsia bijuga)
GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
Government web site:
http://www.guam.gov
Office of the Governor
Ufisinan Maga’lahi
Executive Chambers
PO Box 2950
Hagatna, Guam 96932 011-671-472-8931 fax: 011-671-477-4826 http://www.guamgovernor.net governor@mail.gov.gu
Lieutenant Governor PO Box 2950 Hagatna, Guam 96932 011-671-475-9380 fax: 011-671-47-2007 http://www.guamltgovernor.org ltgov@mail.gov.gu
Public Library System Nieves M. Flores Memorial Library 254 Martyr St Hagatna, Guam 96910 011-671-475-4573 fax: 011-671-477-9777 http://gpls.guam.gov gpls@gpls.guam.gov
Northern Mariana Islands
In 1947 the U.N. assigned the Islands to the U.S. to administer; in 1978 the Islands became a self-governing commonwealth under
U.S. sovereignty; inhabitants became U.S. citizens in 1986, but cannot vote in U.S. elections.
Capital: Saipan (Capitol Hill)
Bird: Marianas Fruit Dove (Ptilonopus roseicapilla)
Flower: Plumeria (Plumeria rubra forma acutifolia)
Tree: Flame tree (Delonix regia)
GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
Office of the Governor Caller Box 10007 Capital Hill Saipan, 96950 670-664-2200 fax: 670-664-2211
Joeten-Kiyu Public Library
P.O. Box501092 Saipan, 96950 670-235-4758 fax: 670-235-7322 http://www.cnmilibrary.com/ saipanlib@cnmilibrary.com
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico became a territory of the U.S. in 1917, and, on July 25, 1952, a commonwealth with autonomous local governmental units; inhabitants have been U.S. citizens since 1917.
SEE PUERTO RICO CONSTITUTION DAY
Capital: San Juan Nickname: Island of Enchantment Motto: Joannes est nomen ejus (Spanish “Juan [John] Is His
Name”) Animal: El coquí or tree frog (Francolinus coqui) Bird: Reinita Flower: Maga or Puerto Rico hibiscus (Thespesia grandiflora) Languages: English; Spanish
Song: “La Borinqueña”
Sport: Beisbol or baseball
Tree: Ceiba or silk-cotton or kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra)
More about the symbols at:
http://www.gobierno.pr/GPRPortal/Inicio/PuertoRico/Simbolos (Spanish only) http://www.elboricua.com/FactSheet.html
GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
Government web site: http://www.gobierno.pr (Spanish only)
Office of the Governor La Fortaleza PO Box 9020082 San Juan, 00902-0082 787-721-7000 http://www.fortaleza.gobierno.pr (Spanish only)
State Department Apartado 9023271 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-3271 787-722-2121 http://www.estado.gobierno.pr (Spanish only)
University of Puerto Rico Library System Rio Piedras Campus PO Box 23302 San Juan, 00931-3302 787-764-0000 fax: 787-772-1479
US Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands were purchased by the U.S. on March 31, 1917; in 1927 native inhabitants were made U.S. citizens.
SEE TRANSFER DAY
Capital: Charlotte Amalie Nickname: The American Paradise Motto: United in Pride and Hope Bird: Yellow breast (bananaquit; Coereba flaveola) Flower: Yellow cedar or trumpetbush (Tecoma stans) Language (official): English March: “Virgin Islands March”
More about the symbols at:
http://www.usvitourism.vi/en/pdfs/Visitor_Guide.pdf
More about the territory at:
http://www.usvitourism.vi/
GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
Government web site: http://www.gov.vi/
Office of the Governor Government House 21-22 Kongens Gade Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, VI 00802 340-774-0001 fax: 340-693-4374 http://www.governordejongh.com contact@ governordejongh.com
Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums 20 Dronningens Gade St. Thomas, 00802 340-774-3407 fax: 340-775-1887