Symbols for US States

USA State Symbols - Alabama Symbols

• Alabama State Motto: Audemus jura nostra defendere - motto translated as "We Dare Defend Our Rights "

• Alabama State Nickname: Yellowhammer State - The Heart of Dixie

• Alabama Abbreviation: Ala.

• Alabama State Flower: Camellia ( Camellia japonica )

• Alabama Bird: Yellowhammer

• Alabama Insect: Monarch Butterfly

• Alabama Tree: Southern Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris Miller)

• Alabama Song: "Alabama" - Words by Julia S. Tutwiler and music composed by Edna G. Gussen

USA State Symbols - Alaska Symbols

• Alaska State Motto:  " North To The Future "

• Alaska Abbreviation: Alaska

• Alaska State Flower: Wild Forget-Me-Not

• Alaska Bird: Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus)

• Alaska Insect: Four Spot Skimmer Dragonfly

• Alaska Tree: Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)

• Alaska Song: Name of the Song is "Alaska's Flag" - words by Marie Drake and music composed by Elinor Dusenbury

• Alaska Nickname: The Last Frontier

USA State Symbols - Arizona Symbols

• Arizona State Motto: Ditat Deus - motto translated as "God enriches"

• Arizona Abbreviation: Ariz.

• Arizona State Flower: Saguaro Cactus Blossom (Cereus giganteus)

• Arizona Bird: Coues' Cactus Wren (Heleodytes brunneicapillus couesi)

• Arizona Insect: Two-tailed Swallowtail Butterfly

• Arizona Tree: Palo Verde (Genera cercidium)

• Arizona Song: "Arizona" - words by Margret R. Clifford and music composed by Maurice Blumenthal

• Arizona State Nickname: The Grand Canyon State

USA State Symbols - Arkansas Symbols

• Arkansas State Motto: Regnat populus - meaning "The people rule "

• Arkansas Abbreviation: Ark.

• Arkansas State Flower: Apple Blossom

• Arkansas Bird: Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

• Arkansas Insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera)

• Arkansas Tree: Pine Tree

• Arkansas Song: "Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me)" by Wayland Holyfield " and "Oh, Arkansas" by Terry Rose and Gary Klaff

• Arkansas State Nickname: The Natural State

USA State Symbols - California Symbols

• California State Motto: Eureka - motto is translated as "I have found it "

• California Abbreviation: Calif.

• California State Flower: Golden Poppy (Eschsholtzia)

• California Bird: California Valley Quail

• California Insect: California Dogface Butterfly

• California Tree: Pine Tree

• California Song: "I Love You, California" the words of the song are by F. B. Silverwood and music composed by A. F. Frankenstein

• California State Nickname: The Golden State

USA State Symbols - Colorado Symbols

• Colorado State Motto: "Nil sine Numine " the State Motto which is translated as " Nothing without Providence "

• Colorado Abbreviation: Colo.

• Colorado State Flower: White and Lavender Columbine

• Colorado Bird: Lark Bunting

• Colorado Insect: Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly

• Colorado Tree: Colorado Blue Spruce

• Colorado Song: "Where the Columbines Grow" lyrics and music is composed by A. J. Flynn

• Colorado State Nickname: The Centennial State (as it entered the union one hundred years after the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1876)

USA State Symbols - Connecticut Symbols

• Connecticut State Motto: "Qui transtulit sustinet" the State Motto is translated as " He who transplanted still sustains "

• Connecticut Abbreviation: Conn.

• Connecticut State Flower: Mountain Laurel

• Connecticut Bird: American Robin

• Connecticut Insect: Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa)

• Connecticut Tree: White Oak

• Connecticut Song: "Yankee Doodle" the original Composer is unknown however "The Yankee Doodle Boy" is another version with Music and Lyrics by George M. Cohan

• Connecticut State Nickname: The Constitution State (Three towns in Connecticut developed the first written constitution called "The Fundamental Orders" it declared that "the foundation of authority is in the free consent of the people")

USA State Symbols - Delaware Symbols

• Delaware State Motto: "Liberty and Independence"

• Delaware Abbreviation: Del.

• Delaware State Flower: Peach Blossom

• Delaware Bird: Blue Hen Chicken

• Delaware Insect: Lady Bug

• Delaware Tree: American Holly (Aquifoliaceae Ilex opaca)

• Delaware Song: "Our Delaware" the words of the song are by George B. Hynson and music composed by M. S. Brown

• Delaware State nickname: The First State (it was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution)

USA State Symbols - Florida Symbols

• Florida State Motto: "In God We Trust "

• Florida Abbreviation: Fla.

• Florida State Flower: Peach Blossom

• Florida Bird: Mockingbird

• Florida Insect: Zebra Longwing Butterfly

• Florida Tree: Sabal Palmetto Palm (also known as the Cabbage Palm)

• Florida Song: "Swanee River" the words of the song and the music composed by Stephen C. Foster

• Florida State Nickname: The Sunshine State

USA State Symbols - Georgia Symbols

• Georgia State Motto: "Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation"

• Georgia Abbreviation: Ga.

• Georgia State Flower: Cherokee Rose and the wild Azalea

• Georgia Bird: Brown Thrasher and Cardinal

• Georgia Insect: Honeybee

• Georgia Tree: Live Oak

• Georgia Song:  "Georgia on My Mind" lyrics by Stuart Gorrell and music composed by Hoagy Carmichael

• Georgia State Nickname: The Peach State

USA State Symbols - Hawaii Symbols

• Hawaii State Motto: "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono" the State Motto which is translated as " The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"

• Hawaii Abbreviation: Hawaii

• Hawaii State Flower: Native Yellow Hibiscus

• Hawaii Bird: Nene also known as the Hawaiian goose

• Hawaii Insect: Kamehameha butterfly

• Hawaii Tree: Kukui Tree (Aleurites Moluccana) aka Candlenut Tree

• Hawaii Song: "Hawaii Ponoi - Hawaii's Own" the words of the song are by Kalakaua and music composed by Henri Berger

• Hawaii State Nickname: The Aloha State
   

USA State Symbols - Idaho Symbols

• Idaho State Motto: "Esto perpetua (Let it be perpetual)" the State Motto is translated as "It is forever"

• Idaho Abbreviation: Idaho

• Idaho State Flower: Syringa

• Idaho Bird: Mountain Bluebird (Sialia arctcia)

• Idaho Insect: Monarch Butterfly

• Idaho Tree: White Pine (Pinus Monticola pinaceae)

• Idaho Song: "Here We Have Idaho" lyrics are by McKinley Helm & Albert J. Tompkins and the music composed by Sallie Hume-Douglas

• Idaho State Nickname: The Gem State

USA State Symbols - Illinois Symbols

• Illinois State Motto: State Sovereignty, National Union

• Illinois Abbreviation: Ill.

• Illinois State Flower: Native Violet (Violaceae)

• Illinois Bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

• Illinois Insect: Monarch Butterfly

• Illinois Tree: White Oak (Quercus alba)

• Illinois Song: "Illinois" the lyrics the song are by Charles H. Chamberlin and music composed by Archibald Johnston

• Illinois State Nickname: The Prairie State

USA State Symbols - Indiana Symbols

• Indiana State Motto: The Crossroads of America

• Indiana Abbreviation: Ind.

• Indiana State Flower: Cardinal

• Indiana Bird: Peony (Paeonie)

• Indiana Tree: Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

• Indiana Song: "On the banks of the Wabash " the words and music of the song are by Paul Dresser

• Indiana state nickname: The Hoosier State

USA State Symbols - Iowa Symbols

• Iowa State Motto: "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain"

• Iowa Abbreviation: Iowa.

• Iowa State Flower: Wild Prairie Rose (Rosa Pratincola)

• Iowa Bird: Eastern Goldfinch

• Iowa Tree: Oak Tree

• Iowa Song: "Song of Iowa" lyrics by S.H.M. Byers and music is set to the traditional melody of "O, Tannenbaum." O Christmas Tree which was composed by August Zarnack and Ernst Anschutz

• Iowa State Nickname: The Hawkeye State (taken from the name of the scout, Hawkeye, who featured in James Fenimore Cooper's 'The Last of the Mohicans' book which was published in 1826.)

USA State Symbols - Kansas Symbols

• Kansas Motto: "Ad astra per aspera" the State Motto is translated as " To the stars through difficulties"

• Kansas Abbreviation: Kans.

• Kansas State Flower: Common Sunflower

• Kansas Bird: Western Meadowlark

• Kansas Insect: Honeybee (Apis mellifera)

• Kansas Tree: Eastern Cottonwood

• Kansas Song: "Home on the Range" the lyrics are by Brewster Higley and music composed by Daniel Kelley

• Kansas Nickname: The Sunflower State (names after the wild flowers of the plains of Kansas)

USA State Symbols - Kentucky Symbols

• Kentucky Motto: "United we stand, divided we fall"

• Kentucky Abbreviation: Ky.

• Kentucky State Flower: Goldenrod

• Kentucky Bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

• Kentucky Insect: Viceroy Butterfly

• Kentucky Tree: Tulip Poplar

• Kentucky Song: "My old Kentucky Home" the words and music by Stephen C. Foster

• Kentucky Nickname: The Bluegrass State

USA State Symbols - Louisiana Symbols

• Louisiana State Motto: Union, Justice, and Confidence

• Louisiana Abbreviation: La.

• Louisiana State Flower: Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

• Louisiana Bird: Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

• Louisiana Insect: Honeybee (Apis mallifera)

• Louisiana Tree: Baldcypress also known as Cypress

• Louisiana Song: " Give Me Louisiana " the words and music of the song are by Doralice Fontane

• Louisiana Nickname: The Pelican State (the name isa tribute to the state bird, the brown pelican, which is native to Louisiana)

USA State Symbols - Maine Symbols

• Maine Motto: "Dirigo" the State Motto is translated as " I lead "

• Maine Abbreviation: Maine

• Maine State Flower: White Pine Cone and Tassel

• Maine Bird: Black-capped Chickadee

• Maine Insect: Honeybee (Apis mallifera)

• Maine Tree: White Pine (Pinus strobus)

• Maine Song: "State of Maine Song" lyrics and music of the song are by Roger V. Snow
  Maine Nickname: The Pine Tree State (named after the white pine tree which is the state symbol. Maine has over 17 million acres of forests. In the early days of colonization, the tall White Pines of Maine were valued for building the ships masts)

USA State Symbols - Maryland Symbols

• Maryland Motto: "Fatti maschii parole femine" the State Motto is translated as " Strong deeds, Gentle words"

• Maryland Abbreviation: Md.

• Maryland State Flower: Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Maryland Bird: Baltimore Oriole

• Maryland Insect: Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly

• Maryland Tree: White Oak (Quercus alba)

• Maryland Song: "Maryland, My Maryland" lyrics and music by James R. Randall
  Maryland Nickname: The Old Line State (named given by George Washington after the Maryland soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. Maryland was the only state that had regular troops 'of the line' and these soldiers were ranked amongst the best disciplined in the army

USA State Symbols - Masachusetts Symbols

• Masachusetts State Motto: "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" is translated as "By the sword we seek Peace, but Peace only under Liberty"

• Masachusetts Abbreviation: Mass.

• Masachusetts State Flower: Mayflower (Epigaea repens)

• Massachusetts Bird: Black-capped Chickadee

• Massachusetts Insect: Ladybug

• Massachusetts Tree: American Elm (Ulmus americana)

• Massachusetts Song: "All Hail to Massachusetts" the lyrics and music of the song are by Arthur Marsh

• Massachusetts Nickname: The Bay State (named for the Cape Cod Bay where early settlements were made)

USA State Symbols - Michigan Symbols

• Michigan Motto: "Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice" the State Motto is translated as "If you seek a pleasant Peninsula, look about you"

• Michigan Abbreviation: Mich.

• Michigan State Flower: Apple Blossom

• Michigan Bird: Robin

• Michigan Tree:  White Pine (Pinus strobus)

• Michigan Song: "Michigan, My Michigan" the lyrics are by Giles Kavanagh and music by H. O'Reilly Clint

• Michigan State Nickname: The Wolverine State. The name came from a dispute over the border between Ohio and Michigan which was called called the Toledo strip. The dispute resulted in bloodshed, the Toledo War. It is said that Ohioans at the time described Michiganians as being as 'vicious and bloodthirsty as wolverines'

USA State Symbols - Minnesota Symbols

• Minnesota Motto: "L'Etoile du nord" the State Motto is translated as "The Star of the North"

• Minnesota Abbreviation: Minn.

• Minnesota State Flower: Mayflower (Epigaea repens)

• Minnesota Bird: Common Loon (Gavia immer)

• Minnesota Insect: Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

• Minnesota Tree: Red Pine or Norway Pine

• Minnesota Song: "Hail! Minnesota" the lyrics are by Truman E. Richard and Arthur E. Upson and music by Truman E. Richard

• Minnesota State Nickname: The North Star State. The name came from the State Motto L'Etoile du Nord or "Star of the North."

USA State Symbols - Mississippi Symbols

• Mississippi State Motto: "Virtute et armis" the State Motto is translated as "By Valor and Arms"

• Mississippi Abbreviation: Miss.

• Mississippi State Flower: Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

• Mississippi Bird: Mockingbird

• Mississippi Insect: Honeybee

• Mississippi Tree: Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

• Mississippi Song: "Go Mis-sis-sip-pi" the lyrics and music of the song are by Houston Davis

• Mississippi Nickname: The Magnolia State. The name evolved from the vast number of magnolia flowers and trees in the state

USA State Symbols - Missouri Symbols

• Missouri Motto: "Salus populi suprema lex esto" the State Motto is translated as "The Welfare of the People shall be the Supreme Law"

• Missouri Abbreviation: Mo.

• Missouri State Flower: Hawthorn Blossom

• Missouri Bird: Bluebird

• Missouri Insect: Honeybee

• Missouri Tree: Flowering Dogwood

• Missouri Song: " Missouri Waltz " the lyrics are by J. R. Shannon and music is composed by John V. Eppel

• Missouri nickname: The Show Me State

USA State Symbols - Montana Symbols

• Montana Motto: "Oro y plata" which is translated as "Gold and Silver"

• Montana Abbreviation: Mont.

• Montana State Flower: Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva)

• Montana Bird: Western Meadowlark

• Montana Insect: Mourning Cloak Butterfly

• Montana Tree: Ponderosa Pine

• Montana Song: "Montana" the lyrics are by Charles C. Cohen and the music is composed by Joseph E. Howard

• Montana Nickname: The Treasure State - The name refers to the importance of rich mineral reserves, including gold and silver, and mining in Montana

USA State Symbols - Nebraska Symbols

• Nebraska Motto:  "Equality before the Law"

• Nebraska Abbreviation: Nebr.

• Nebraska State Flower: Goldenrod (Solidago serotina)

• Nebraska Bird: Western Meadowlark

• Nebraska Insect: Honeybee

• Nebraska Tree: Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

• Nebraska Song: "Beautiful Nebraska" the lyrics are by Jim Fras & Guy G. Miller, music composed by Jim Fras

• Nebraska Nickname: The Cornhusker State. The name refers to the University of Nebraska football team, the Cornhuskers

USA State Symbols - Nevada Symbols

• Nevada Motto: All for our Country

• Nevada Abbreviation: Nev.

• Nevada State Flower: Sagebrush

• Nevada Bird: Mountain Bluebird

• Nevada Insect: Honeybee

• Nevada Tree: Single-leaf Pinon

• Nevada Song: "Home Means Nevada" the lyrics and music are by Bertha Raffetto

• Nevada Nickname: The Silver State. The name refers to the large silver mine industries

USA State Symbols - New Hampshire Symbols

• New Hampshire State Motto: Live Free Or Die

• New Hampshire Abbreviation: NH.

• New Hampshire State Flower: Purple Lilac

• New Hampshire Bird: Purple Finch

• New Hampshire Insect: Ladybug

• New Hampshire Tree: White Birch

• New Hampshire Song: "Old New Hampshire". The lyrics are by Dr. John F. Holmes & music was composed by Maurice Hoffmann

• New Hampshire Nickname: The Granite State. The name refers to the fact that New Hampshire once had a large industry quarrying granite

USA State Symbols - New Jersey Symbols

• New Jersey Motto: Liberty and Prosperity

• New Jersey Abbreviation: N.J.

• New Jersey State Flower: Common Meadow Violet

• New Jersey Bird: Eastern Goldfinch

• New Jersey Insect: Honeybee

• New Jersey Tree: Red Oak

• New Jersey Nickname: The Garden State

USA State Symbols - New Mexico Symbols

• New Mexico Motto: "Crescit eundo" which is translated as "It grows as it goes"

• New Mexico Abbreviation: N.M.

• New Mexico State Flower: Yucca Flower (Yucca glauca)

• New Mexico Bird: Chaparral Bird or Roadrunner

• New Mexico Insect: Tarantula Hawk Wasp

• New Mexico Tree: Nut Pine or Pinon Tree

• New Mexico Song: "O, Fair New Mexico" the lyrics and music of the song are by Elizabeth Garrett

• New Mexico Nickname: The Land of Enchantment. The phrase was included on New Mexico license plates in 1941 and officially adopted as the nickname of New Mexico on April 8, 1999

USA State Symbols - New York Symbols

• New York Motto: Excelsior (Ever Upward)

• New York Abbreviation: N.Y.

• New York State Flower: Rose

• New York Bird: Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

• New York Insect: Ladybug (Coccinella novemnotata)

• New York Tree: Sugar Maple

• New York Song: "I love New York" the lyrics and music are by Steve Karmen

• New York Nickname: The Empire State

USA State Symbols - North Carolina Symbols

• North Carolina Motto: "Esse quam videri" the State Motto is translated as "To be, rather than to seem"

• North Carolina Abbreviation: N.C.

• North Carolina State Flower: Dogwood

• North Carolina Bird: Cardinal

• North Carolina Insect: Honeybee

• North Carolina Tree: Pine

• North Carolina Song: "The Old North State" the lyrics of the song are by William Gaston and music composed by Mrs. E. E. Randolph

• North Carolina Nickname: The Tar Heel State (tar was once one of the state's major products)

USA State Symbols - North Dakota Symbols

• North Dakota State Motto: Liberty and Union Now and Forever, One and Inseparable

• North Dakota Abbreviation: N.D.

• North Dakota State Flower: Wild Prairie Rose

• North Dakota Bird: Western Meadowlark

• North Dakota Tree: American Elm (Ulmus americana)

• North Dakota Song: "North Dakota Hymn" the lyrics are by James W. Foley and music arranged by C. S. Putnam

• North Dakota Nickname: The Peace Garden State (from the International Peace Garden, dedicated on July 14, 1932)

USA State Symbols - Ohio Symbols

• Ohio State Motto: With God, all things are possible

• Ohio Abbreviation: Ohio

• Ohio State Flower: Scarlet Carnation

• Ohio Bird: Cardinal

• Ohio Insect: Ladybug

• Ohio Tree: Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)

• Ohio Song: "Beautiful Ohi " the lyrics are by Ballard MacDonald and music composed by Mary Earl

• Ohio Nickname: The Buckeye State ( this is due to the abundance of buckeye trees which once covered the State of Ohio)

USA State Symbols - Oklahoma Symbols

• Oklahoma Motto: Labor omnia vincit

• Oklahoma Abbreviation: Okla.

• Oklahoma State Flower: Oklahoma Rose

• Oklahoma Bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

• Oklahoma Insect: Honeybee

• Oklahoma Tree: Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

• Oklahoma Song: "Oklahoma" the lyrics are by Oscar Hammerstein and music composed by Richard Rodgers

• Oklahoma Nickname: The Sooner State

USA State Symbols - Oregon Symbols

• Oregon Motto: " Alis Volat Propiis " the Oregon State Motto is translated as "She Flies With Her Own Wings"

• Oregon Abbreviation: Ore.

• Oregon State Flower: Oregon Grape

• Oregon Bird: Western Meadowlark

• Oregon Insect: Oregon Swallowtail Butterfly

• Oregon Tree: Douglas Fir

• Oregon Song: "Oregon, My Oregon " the lyrics are by J. A. Buchanan and music composed by Henry Murtagh

• Oregon State Nickname: The Beaver State (Oregon's state animal)

USA State Symbols - Pennsylvania Symbols

• Pennsylvania Motto: Virtue, Liberty, and Independence

• Pennsylvania Abbreviation: Pa.

• Pennsylvania State Flower: Mountain Laurel

• Pennsylvania Bird: Ruffed Grouse

• Pennsylvania Insect: Firefly

• Pennsylvania Tree: Eastern Hemlock

• Pennsylvania Song: "Pennsylvania" the lyrics are by Eddie Khoury and music composed by Ronnie Bonner

• Pennsylvania State Nickname: The Keystone State

USA State Symbols - Rhode Island Symbols

• Rhode Island Motto: Hope

• Rhode Island Abbreviation: R.I.

• Rhode Island State Flower: Violet (Viola sororia)

• Rhode Island Bird: Rhode Island Red

• Rhode Island Tree: Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

• Rhode Island Song: "Rhode Island's It for Me" the music and lyrics of the song are by Charlie Hall

• Rhode Island Nickname: The Ocean State

USA State Symbols - South Carolina Symbols

• South Carolina Motto: "Animis Opibusque Parati / Dum Spiro Spero" the State Motto is translated as "Prepared in mind and resources / While I breathe, I hope"

• South Carolina Abbreviation: S.C.

• South Carolina State Flower: Carolina Jessamine

• South Carolina Bird: Carolina Wren

• South Carolina Insect: Carolina Mantid or Praying Mantis

• South Carolina Tree: Sabal Palmetto also known as Cabbage Palmetto

• South Carolina Song: "Carolina" the lyrics of the song are by Henri Timrod and music by Anne C. Burgess

• South Carolina Nickname: The Palmetto State (The name refers to the South Carolina official state tree, the Sabal Palmetto)

USA State Symbols - South Dakota Symbols

• South Dakota Motto: Under God the People Rule

• South Dakota Abbreviation: S.D.

• South Dakota State Flower: Pasque, May Day Flower

• South Dakota Bird: Ring-necked Pheasant

• South Dakota Insect: Honeybee

• South Dakota Tree: Black Hills Spruce

• South Dakota Song: "Hail, South Dakota" the lyrics and music of the song are by Deecort Hammitt

• South Dakota Nickname: The Mount Rushmore State (The name refers to the US national symbol mountain sculpture by Gutzon Borglum)

USA State Symbols - Tennessee Symbols

• Tennessee Motto: Agriculture and Commerce

• Tennessee Abbreviation: Tenn.

• Tennessee State Flower: Iris & Passion Flower (wild)

• Tennessee Bird: Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

• Tennessee Insect: Honeybee

• Tennessee Tree: Tulip Poplar

• Tennessee Song: "My Homeland, Tennessee" the lyrics of the song are by Nell Grayson Taylor and music composed by Roy Lamont Smith

• Tennessee State Nickname: The Volunteer State. The nickname comes from the Tennessee volunteer soldiers. Their Governor William Blount was brigadier-general of Tennessee volunteers after a successful attack on the Creek Indians

USA State Symbols - Texas Symbols

• Texas Motto: Friendship

• Texas Abbreviation: Tex.

• Texas State Flower: Bluebonnet

• Texas Bird: Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

• Texas Insect: Monarch Butterfly

• Texas Tree: Pecan (Carya illinoensis)

• Texas Song: "Texas, Our Texas" the lyrics of the song are by Gladys Y. Wright and William J. Marsh and music composed by William J. Marsh

• Texas State Nickname: The Lone Star State (The nickname was given after a flag with a single star was raised at the Alamo (1836) according to a journal entry by David Crockett - there are many other ideas as to the origin of this nickname)

USA State Symbols - Utah Symbols

• Utah Motto: Industry

• Utah Abbreviation: Utah

• Utah State Flower: Sego Lily

• Utah Bird: California Gull

• Utah Insect: Honeybee

• Utah Tree: Blue Spruce

• Utah Song: "Utah, We Love Thee" the lyrics of the song and music composed by Evan Stephens

• Utah State Nickname: The Beehive State (names after the Utah State emblem, the beehive which represents endeavour and perseverance)

USA State Symbols - Vermont Symbols

• Vermont State Motto: Freedom and Unity

• Vermont Abbreviation: Vt.

• Vermont State Flower: Red Clover

• Vermont Bird: Hermit Thrush

• Vermont Insect: Honeybee

• Vermont Tree: Sugar Maple

• Vermont Song:  "These Green Mountains" lyrics and music by Diane Martin and arrangement by Rita Buglass Gluck

• Vermont State Nickname: The Green Mountain State

USA State Symbols - Virginia Symbols

• Virginia Motto: " Sic Semper Tyrannis " the Virginia State Motto is translated as " Thus Always to Tyrants"

• Virginia Abbreviation: Va.

• Virginia State Flower: American Dogwood

• Virginia Bird: Cardinal

• Virginia Insect: Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

• Virginia Tree: Dogwood (Cornus florida)

• Virginia Song: "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia" the lyrics of the song and music composed by James A. Bland

• Virginia Nickname: The Old Dominion State (The state of Virginia was given its nickname "The Old Dominion" by King Charles II of England at the time of the Restoration for remaining loyal to the crown during the English Civil War)

USA State Symbols - Washington Symbols

• Washington Motto: " Alki " the motto is translated as " Bye and Bye "

• Washington Abbreviation: Wash.

• Washington State Flower:

• Washington Bird: Willow Goldfinch

• Washington Insect: Green Darner Dragonfly

• Washington Tree: Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)

• Washington Song: "Washington, My Home" the lyrics of the song and music composed by Helen Davis

• Washington Nickname: The Old Dominion State (named for its lush evergreen forests. The phrase was first coined by C.T. Conover, pioneer Seattle Historian)

USA State Symbols - West Virginia Symbols

• West Virginia Motto: "Montani Semper Liberi" the motto is translated as "Mountaineers are always free"

• West Virginia Abbreviation: W.Va.

• West Virginia State Flower: Big Laurel (Rhododendron maximum)

• West Virginia Bird: Cardinal

• West Virginia Insect: Monarch Butterfly

• West Virginia Tree: Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

• West Virginia Song: "West Virginia Hills" the lyrics of the song are by Mrs. Ellen King and music composed by H. E. Engle

• West Virginia Nickname: The Mountain State (named after the amazing Appalachian and Allegheny Mountains. The Latin word 'Montani' means Mountaineers)

USA State Symbols - Wisconsin Symbols

• Wisconsin Motto: Forward

• Wisconsin Abbreviation: Wis.

• Wisconsin State Flower: Wood Violet

• Wisconsin Bird: Robin

• Wisconsin Insect: Honeybee

• Wisconsin Tree: Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

• Wisconsin Song: "On Wisconsin" the lyrics of the song are by J. S. Hubbard and Charles D. Rosa and the music is composed by William T. Purdy

• Wisconsin Nickname: The Badger State

USA State Symbols - Wyoming Symbols

• Wyoming Motto: Equal Rights

• Wyoming Abbreviation: Wyo.

• Wyoming State Flower: Indian Paintbrush

• Wyoming Bird: Meadowlark

• Wyoming Insect: Honeybee

• Wyoming Tree: Plains Cottonwood

• Wyoming Song: "Wyoming" the lyrics of the song are by Charles E. Winter and music composed by G.E.Knapp

• Wyoming Nickname: The Equality State (The name comes from the traditional high standing of the women in the state of Wyoming who were the first in the nation to vote and hold public office)