The document provides information about the 50 US states, listing their capital cities, governors, mottos, state symbols, and nicknames in brief entries. It touches on the origin of the states' names and the demonym used for residents. The document contains a wealth of trivia and facts about each state in a condensed format.

1. The Nifty Fifty

2. The Western Territory The Five Territories of the United States!! The Northeast The Midwest The Southwest The Southwest

3. The Midwest

4. OHIO

5. Michigan

6. Indiana

7. Illinois

8. Iowa

9. Alabama

10. Alaska Capital:Juneau Governor: Sean Parnell, R (to Dec. 2010) Motto: North to the Future flower forget-me-not (1949) treesitka spruce (1962) birdwillow ptarmigan (1955) fish king salmon (1962) song “Alaska's Flag” (1955) gemjade (1968) marine mammal bowhead whale (1983) fossilwoolly mammoth (1986) mineralgold (1968) sport dog mushing (1972) Nickname: The state is commonly called “The Last Frontier” or “Land of the Midnight Sun” Origin of name: Corruption of Aleut word meaning “great land” or “that which the sea breaks against” Residents: Alaskan

11. Arizona Capital:Phoenix Governor: Jan Brewer, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Ditat Deus (God enriches) flowerflower of saguaro cactus (1931) bird cactus wren (1931) colors blue and old gold (1915) song “Arizona” (1919) treepaloverde (1954) neckwear bola tie (1971) fossil petrified wood (1988) gemstoneturquoise (1974) mammal ringtail (1986) reptile Arizona ridgenose rattlesnake (1986) fish Arizona trout (1986) amphibian Arizona tree frog (1986) butterfly two-tailed swallowtail (2001) Nickname: Grand Canyon State Origin of name: Uncertain. Perhaps from the O'odham Indian word for “little spring” Residents: Arizonan, Arizonian

12. Arkansas Capital:Little Rock Governor: Mike Beebe, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Regnatpopulus (The people rule) flower apple blossom (1901) tree pine (1939) birdmockingbird (1929) insect honeybee (1973) song “Arkansas” (1963) Nickname: The Natural State Origin of name: From the Quapaw Indians Residents: Arkansan

13. California Capital:Sacramento Governor:Arnold Schwarzenegger, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Eureka (I have found it) flower golden poppy (1903) tree California redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens & Sequoiadendrongiganteum) (1937, 1953) bird California valley quail (1931) animal California grizzly bear (1953) fish California golden trout (1947) colors blue and gold (1951) song “I Love You, California” (1951) Nickname: Golden State Origin of name: From a book, Las Sergas de Esplandián, by Garcia Ordóñez de Montalvo, c. 1500 Residents: Californian

14. Colorado Capital:Denver Governor: Bill Ritter, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Nil sine Numine (Nothing without Providence) flower Rocky Mountain columbine (1899) tree Colorado blue spruce (1939) bird lark bunting (1931) animal Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (1961) gemstone aquamarine (1971) colors blue and white (1911) song “Where the Columbines Grow” (1915) fossil stegosaurus (1991) Nickname: Centennial State Origin of name: From the Spanish, “ruddy” or “red” Residents: Coloradan, Coloradoan

15. Connecticut Capital:Hartford Governor: M. Jodi Rell, R (to Jan. 2011) flowermountain laurel (1907) treewhite oak (1947) animalsperm whale (1975) bird American robin (1943) heroNathan Hale (1985) heroinePrudence Crandall (1995) insectpraying mantis (1977) mineralgarnet (1977) song “Yankee Doodle” (1978) ship USS Nautilus (1983) shellfish eastern oyster (1989) fossilEubrontesGiganteus (1991) composerCharles Edward Ives (1991) Nickname: Constitution State (official, 1959); Nutmeg State Origin of name: From an Indian word (Quinnehtukqut) meaning “beside the long tidal river” Residents:Connecticuter; Nutmegger

16. Delaware Capital:Dover Governor: Jack Markell, D (to Jan. 2013) Motto: Liberty and independence colors colonial blue and buff flower peach blossom (1895) tree American holly (1939) bird blue hen chicken (1939) insect ladybug (1974) butterfly tiger swallowtail (1999) fish weakfish, cynoscionregalis (1981) song “Our Delaware” beverage milk fossil belemnite Nicknames: Diamond State; First State; Small Wonder Origin of name: From Delaware River and Bay; named in turn for Sir Thomas West, Baron De La Warr Residents: Delawarean

17. Florida Capital:Tallahassee Governor: Charlie Crist, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto: In God we trust (1868) flower orange blossom (1909) bird mockingbird (1927) song “Suwannee River” (1935) Nickname: Sunshine State (1970) Origin of name: From the Spanish Pascua Florida, meaning “feast of flowers” (Easter) Residents: Floridian, Floridan

18. Georgia Capital:Atlanta Governor: Sonny Perdue, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto: Wisdom, justice, and moderation flower Cherokee rose (1916) tree live oak (1937) bird brown thrasher (1935) song “Georgia on My Mind” (1922) Nicknames: Peach State, Empire State of the South Origin of name: In honor of George II of England Residents: Georgian

19. Hawaii Capital:Honolulu (on Oahu) Governor: Linda Lingle, R (to Dec. 2010) Motto:Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness) flower hibiscus (yellow) (1988) song “Hawaii Ponoi” (1967) birdnene (Hawaiian goose) (1957) treekukui(candlenut) (1959) Nickname: Aloha State (1959) Origin of name: Uncertain. The islands may have been named by Hawaii Loa, their traditional discoverer. Or they may have been named after Hawaii or Hawaiki, the traditional home of the Polynesians. Residents: Hawaiian, also kamaaina (native-born nonethnic Hawaiian), malihini (newcomer)

20. Idaho Capital:Boise Governor: C. L. Butch Otter, R (to Jan. 2010) Motto:Estoperpetua (It is forever) flowersyringa (1931) tree white pine (1935) bird mountain bluebird (1931) horse Appaloosa (1975) gem star garnet (1967) song “Here We Have Idaho” folk dance square dance fish cutthroat trout (1990) fossil Hagerman horse fossil (1988) Nickname: Gem State Origin of name: An invented name whose meaning is unknown. Residents: Idahoan

21. Kansas Capital:Topeka Governor: Mark Parkinson, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Ad astra per aspera (To the stars through difficulties) flowersunflower (1903) tree cottonwood (1937) bird western meadowlark (1937) animalbuffalo (1955) song “Home on the Range” (1947) Nicknames: Sunflower State; Jayhawk State Origin of name: From a Sioux word meaning “people of the south wind” Residents: Kansan

22. Kentucky Capital:Frankfort Governor:Steve Beshear, D (to Dec. 2011) Motto:United we stand, divided we fall tree tulip poplar (1994) flower goldenrod bird Kentucky cardinal song “My Old Kentucky Home” Nickname:Bluegrass State Origin of name:From an Iroquoian word “Ken-tah-ten” meaning “land of tomorrow” Residents:Kentuckian

23. Louisiana Capital:Baton Rouge Governor: Bobby Jindal, R (to Jan. 2012) Motto: Union, justice, and confidence flower magnolia (1900) tree bald cypress (1963) bird eastern brown pelican (1958) songs “Give Me Louisiana” and “You Are My Sunshine” Nickname: Pelican State Origin of name: In honor of Louis XIV of France Residents: Louisianan, Louisianian

24. Maine Capital:Augusta Governor: John Baldacci, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Dirigo (I lead) flower white pine cone and tassel (1895) tree white pine tree (1945) bird chickadee (1927) fish landlocked salmon (1969) mineral tourmaline (1971) song “State of Maine Song” (1937) animal moose (1979) cat Maine coon cat (1985) fossilperticaquadrifaria (1985) insect honeybee (1975) Nickname: Pine Tree State Origin of name: First used to distinguish the mainland from the offshore islands. It has been considered a compliment to Henrietta Maria, queen of Charles I of England. She was said to have owned the province of Mayne in France. Residents: Mainer

25. Maryland Capital:Annapolis Governor: Martin O'Malley, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Fattimaschii, parole femine (Manly deeds, womanly words) bird Baltimore oriole (1947) boat skipjack (1985) crustacean Maryland blue crab (1989) dinosaurAstrodonjohnstoni (1998) dog Chesapeake Bay retriever (1964) beverage milk (1998) flower black-eyed susan (1918) fish rockfish (1965) folk dance square dance (1994) fossil shellecphoragardneraegardnerae (Wilson) (1994) insect Baltimore checkerspot butterfly (1973) reptile Diamondback terrapin (1994) song “Maryland! My Maryland!” (1939) sport jousting (1962) team sport lacrosse (2004) tree white oak (1941) Nicknames: Free State; Old Line State Origin of name: In honor of Henrietta Maria (queen of Charles I of England) Residents: Marylander

26. Massachusetts Capital:Boston Governor:Deval Patrick, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Ense petit placidam sub libertatequietem (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty) flower mayflower (1918) tree American elm (1941) bird chickadee (1941) song “All Hail to Massachusetts” (1966) beverage cranberry juice (1970) insect ladybug (1974) cookie chocolate chip (1997) muffin corn muffin (1986) dessert Boston cream pie (1996) Nicknames: Bay State; Old Colony State Origin of name: From Massachusett tribe of Native Americans, meaning “at or about the great hill” Residents: Bay Stater

27. Minnesota Capital:St. Paul Governor: Tim Pawlenty, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto:L'Étoile du Nord (The North Star) flower lady slipper (1902) tree red (or Norway) pine (1953) bird common loon (also called great northern diver) (1961) song “Hail Minnesota” (1945) fish walleye (1965) mushroom morel (1984) Nicknames: North Star State; Gopher State; Land of 10,000 Lakes Origin of name: From a Dakota Indian word meaning “sky-tinted water” Residents: Minnesotan

28. Mississippi Capital:Jackson Governor: Haley Barbour, R (to Jan. 2012) Motto:Virtute et armis (By valor and arms) flowerflower or bloom of the magnolia or evergreen magnolia (1952) wildflower coreopsis (1991) tree magnolia (1938) bird mockingbird (1944) song “Go, Mississippi” (1962) stone petrified wood (1976) fish largemouth or black bass (1974) insect honeybee (1980) shell oyster shell (1974) water mammalbottlenosed dolphin or porpoise (1974) fossil prehistoric whale (1981) land mammal white-tailed deer (1974), red fox (1997) waterfowl wood duck (1974) beverage milk (1984) butterfly spicebush swallowtail (1991) dance square dance (1995) Nickname: Magnolia State Origin of name: From an Indian word meaning “Father of Waters” Residents: Mississippian

29. Missouri Capital:Jefferson City Governor:Jay Nixon, D (to Jan. 2013) Motto:Saluspopulisupremalexesto (The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law) flower hawthorn (1923) bird bluebird (1927) aquatic animal paddlefish (1997) fish channel catfish (1997) song “Missouri Waltz” (1949) fossilcrinoid (1989) musical instrument fiddle (1987) rockmozarkite (1967) mineral galena (1967) insect honeybee (1985) tree flowering dogwood (1955) tree nut eastern black walnut (1990) animal mule (1995) dance square dance (1995) Missouri Day third Wednesday in October (1969) Nickname:Show-me State Origin of name:Named after the Missouri Indian tribe. “Missouri” means “town of the large canoes.” Residents:Missourian

30. Montana Capital:Helena Governor: Brian Schweitzer, D (to Jan. 2013) Motto:Oro y plata (Gold and silver) flower bitterroot (1895) tree ponderosa pine (1949) stones sapphire and agate (1969) bird Western meadowlark (1981) song “Montana” (1945) Nickname: Treasure State Origin of name: From the Spanish word meaning “mountain.” Residents: Montanan

31. Nebraska Capital:Lincoln Governor: David Heineman, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto: Equality before the law flower goldenrod (1895) fish channel catfish (1997) American folk dance square dance (1997) ballad “A Place Like Nebraska” (1997) tree cottonwood (1972) bird Western meadowlark (1929) insect honeybee (1975) gemstone blue agate (1967) rock prairie agate (1967) fossil mammoth (1967) song “Beautiful Nebraska” (1967) soiltypicargiustolls, holdreges series (1979) mammal whitetail deer (1981) grass little bluestem (1969) beverage milk (1998) Nicknames: Cornhusker State (1945); Beef State Origin of name: From an Oto Indian word meaning “flat water” Residents: Nebraskan

32. Nevada Capital:Carson City Governor: Jim Gibbons, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto: All for Our Country flower sagebrush (1959) trees single-leaf pinon (1953) and bristlecone pine (1987) bird mountain bluebird (1967) animal desert bighorn sheep (1973) colors silver and blue (1983) song “Home Means Nevada” (1933) rock sandstone (1987) precious gemstone virgin valley black fire opal (1987) semiprecious gemstone Nevada turquoise (1987) grass Indian ricegrass (1977) metal silver (1977) fossil ichthyosaur (1977) fishlahontan cutthroat trout (1981) reptile desert tortoise (1989) state artifacttule duck decoy (1995) Nicknames: Sagebrush State; Silver State; Battle Born State Origin of name: Spanish: “snowcapped” Residents: Nevadan, Nevadian

33. New Hampshire Capital:Concord Governor: John Lynch, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto: Live free or die flower purple lilac (1919) tree white birch (1947) animal white-tailed deer (1983) insect ladybug (1977) saltwater fish striped bass (1994) freshwater fish brook trout (1995) amphibian spotted newt (1985) butterflykarner blue (1992) bird purple finch (1957) songs “Old New Hampshire” (1949) and “New Hampshire, My New Hampshire” (1963) Nickname: Granite State Origin of name: From the English county of Hampshire Residents: New Hampshirite

34. New Jersey Capital:Trenton Governor: Chris Christie, R (to Jan. 2014) Motto: Liberty and prosperity flower purple violet (1913) bird eastern goldfinch (1935) insect honeybee (1974) tree red oak (1950) animal horse (1977) colors buff and blue (1965) folk dance square dance dinosaurhadrosaurusfoulkiifish brook trout shell knobbed whelk fruit blueberry (2004) Nickname: Garden State Origin of name: From the Channel Isle of Jersey Residents: New Jerseyite, New Jerseyan

35. New Mexico Capital:Santa Fe Governor: Bill Richardson, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Cresciteundo (It grows as it goes) flower yucca (1927) treepinon (1949) animal black bear (1963) bird roadrunner (1949) fish cutthroat trout (1955) vegetables chili and frijol (1965) gem turquoise (1967) song “O Fair New Mexico” (1917) Spanish-language song “Asi Es Nuevo Méjico” (1971) poem “A Nuevo México” (1991) grass blue gramma (1973) fossilcoelophysis (1981) cookiebizcochito (1989) insect tarantula hawk wasp (1989) ballad “Land of Enchantment” (1989) bilingual song “New Mexico—Mi Lindo Nuevo Mexico”, (1995) question “Red or Green?” (1999) Nickname: Land of Enchantment (1999) Origin of name: From Mexico, “place of Mexitli,” an Aztec god or leader Residents: New Mexican

36. New York Capital:Albany Governor:David Paterson (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Excelsior (Ever upward) animal beaver (1975) fish brook trout (1975) gem garnet (1969) flower rose (1955) tree sugar maple (1956) bird bluebird (1970) insect ladybug (1989) song “I Love New York” (1980) Nickname:Empire State Origin of name:In honor of the Duke of York Residents:New Yorker

37. North Carolina Capital:Raleigh Governor: Beverly Perdue, D (to Jan. 2013) Motto:Esse quam videri (To be rather than to seem) flower dogwood (1941) tree pine (1963) bird cardinal (1943) mammal gray squirrel (1969) insect honeybee (1973) reptile eastern box turtle (1979) gemstone emerald (1973) shell scotch bonnet (1965) historic boat shad boat (1987) beverage milk (1987) rock granite (1979) dogplott hound (1989) song “The Old North State” (1927) colors red and blue (1945) fruit scuppernong grape (2001) Nickname: Tar Heel State Origin of name: In honor of Charles I of England Residents: North Carolinian

38. North Dakota Capital:Bismarck Governor: John Hoeven, R (to Dec. 15, 2012) Motto: Liberty and union, now and forever: one and inseparable tree American elm (1947) bird western meadowlark (1947) song “North Dakota Hymn” (1947) fish northern pike (1969) grass western wheatgrass (1977) fossilteredo petrified wood (1967) beverage milk (1983) state march Spirit of the Land (1975) flower wild prairie rose (1907) equineNokota horse (1993) dance square dance (1995) Nickname: Sioux State; Flickertail State; Peace Garden State; Rough Rider State Origin of name: From the Sioux tribe, meaning “allies” Residents: North Dakotan

39. Oklahoma Capital:Oklahoma City Governor: Brad Henry, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Labor omniavincit (Labor conquers all things) flower mistletoe (1893) tree redbud (1937) bird scissor-tailed flycatcher (1951) animal bison (1972) reptile mountain boomer lizard (1969) stone rose rock (barite rose) (1968) colors green and white (1915) song “Oklahoma” (1953) beverage milk butterfly black swallowtail fish white or sand bass folk dance square dance furbearer raccoon game animal white-tailed deer grassIndiangrassinsect honeybee musical instrument fiddle poem “Howdy Folks,” David Randolph Milstenwaltz “Oklahoma Wind” wildflower Indian blanket Nickname: Sooner State Origin of name: From two Choctaw Indian words meaning “red people” Residents: Oklahoman

40. Oregon Capital:Salem Governor: Ted Kulongoski, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto:AlisvolatPropriis (She flies with her own wings) (1987) flower Oregon grape (1899) treedouglas fir (1939) animal beaver (1969) bird western meadowlark (1927) fishchinook salmon (1961) rockthunderegg (1965) colors navy blue and gold (1959) song “Oregon, My Oregon” (1927) insect swallowtail butterfly (1979) dance square dance (1977) nut hazelnut (1989) gemstone sunstone (1987) seashell Oregon hairy triton (1991) beverage milk (1997) mushroom Pacific golden chanterelle (1999) Nickname: Beaver State Origin of name: Unknown. However, it is generally accepted that the name, first used by Jonathan Carver in 1778, was taken from the writings of Maj. Robert Rogers, an English army officer. Residents: Oregonian

41. Pennsylvania Capital:Harrisburg Governor: Ed Rendell, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto: Virtue, liberty, and independence flower mountain laurel (1933) tree hemlock (1931) bird ruffed grouse (1931) dog Great Dane (1965) colors blue and gold (1907) song “Pennsylvania” (1990) Nickname: Keystone State Origin of name: In honor of Adm. Sir William Penn, father of William Penn. It means “Penn's Woodland.” Residents: Pennsylvanian

42. Rhode Island Capital:Providence Governor: Don Carcieri, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto: Hope flower violet (unofficial) (1968) tree red maple (official) (1964) bird Rhode Island red hen (official) (1954) shell quahog (official) mineralbowenite (1966) stonecumberlandite (1966) colors blue, white, and gold (in state flag) song “Rhode Island, It's for Me” (1996) Official name: The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Nickname: The Ocean State Origin of name: From the Greek Island of Rhodes Residents: Rhode Islander

43. South Carolina Capital:Columbia Governor:Mark Sanford, R (to Jan. 2011) Mottoes:Animisopibusqueparati (Prepared in mind and resources) and Dum spirospero (While I breathe, I hope) flower Carolina yellow jessamine (1924) tree palmetto tree (1939) bird Carolina wren (1948) song “Carolina” (1911) Nickname:Palmetto State Origin of name:In honor of Charles I of England Residents:South Carolinian

44. South Dakota Capital:Pierre Governor: Mike Rounds, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto: Under God the people rule flower American pasqueflower (1903) grass Western wheat grass (1970) soilhoudek (1990) tree black hills spruce (1947) bird ring-necked pheasant (1943) insect honeybee (1978) animal coyote (1949) mineral stone rose quartz (1966) gemstonefairburn agate (1966) colors blue and gold (in state flag) song “Hail! South Dakota” (1943) fish walleye (1982) musical instrument fiddle (1989) dessertkuchen (2000) Nicknames: Mount Rushmore State; Coyote State Origin of name: From the Sioux tribe, meaning “allies” Residents: South Dakotan

45. Tennessee Capital:Nashville Governor:Phil Bredesen, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto:Agriculture and Commerce (1987) flower iris (1933) tree tulip poplar (1947) bird mockingbird (1933) horse Tennessee walking horse animal raccoon (1971) wild flower passion flower (1973) songs “My Homeland, Tennessee” (1925); “When It's Iris Time in Tennessee” (1935); “My Tennessee” (1955); “Tennessee Waltz” (1965); “Rocky Top” (1982); “Tennessee” (1992); “The Pride of Tennessee” (1996) Nickname:Volunteer State Origin of name:Of Cherokee origin; the exact meaning is unknown Residents:Tennessean, Tennesseean

46. Texas Capital:Austin Governor: Rick Perry, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto: Friendship flower bluebonnet (1901) tree pecan (1919) bird mockingbird (1927) song “Texas, Our Texas” (1929) fishguadalupe bass (1989) seashell lightning whelk (1987) dish chili (1977) folk dance square dance (1991) fruit Texas red grapefruit (1993) gem Texas blue topaz (1969) gemstone cut Lone Star cut (1977) grasssideoats grass (1971) reptile horned lizard (1993) stone petrified palmwood (1969) plant prickly pear cactus insect monarch butterfly pepper jalapeño pepper mammal longhorn small mammal armadillo flying mammal Mexican free-tailed bat Nickname: Lone Star State Origin of name: From an Indian word meaning “friends” Residents: Texan

47. Utah Capital:Salt Lake City Governor: Gary Herbert, R (to Jan. 2010) Motto: Industry flower sego lily (1911) tree blue spruce (1933) bird California gull (1955) emblem beehive (1959) song “Utah, We Love Thee” (1953) gem topaz animal Rocky Mountain elk (1971) insect honeybee (1983) grass Indian rice grass (1990) fossilallosaurus (1988) cooking potdutch oven (1997) fish Bonneville cutthroat trout (1997) fruit cherry (1997) mineral copper rock coal (1991) Nickname: Beehive State Origin of name: From the Ute tribe, meaning “people of the mountains” Residents: Utahan, Utahn

48. Vermont Capital:Montpelier Governor: Jim Douglas, R (to Jan. 2011) Motto: Vermont, Freedom and Unity flower red clover (1894) tree sugar maple (1949) bird hermit thrush (1941) animal Morgan horse (1961) insect honeybee (1978) song “These Green Mountains” (2000) Nickname: Green Mountain State Origin of name: From the French “vertmont,” meaning “green mountain” Residents: Vermonter

49. Virginia Capital:Richmond Governor: Bob McDonnell, R (to Jan. 2014) Motto:Sic sempertyrannis (Thus always to tyrants) flower American dogwood (1918) bird cardinal (1950) dog American foxhound (1966) shell oyster shell (1974) tree dogwood (1956) Nicknames: The Old Dominion; Mother of Presidents Origin of name: In honor of Elizabeth “Virgin Queen” of England Residents: Virginian

50. Washington Capital:Olympia Governor: Christine Gregoire, D (to Jan. 2013) Motto:Al-Ki (Indian word meaning “by and by”) flower coast rhododendron (1892) tree western hemlock (1947) bird willow goldfinch (1951) fish steelhead trout (1969) gem petrified wood (1975) colors green and gold (1925) song “Washington, My Home” (1959) folk song “Roll On Columbia, Roll On” (1987) dance square dance (1979) grassbluebunch wheatgrass (1989) insect blue darner dragonfly (1997) fossil Columbian mammoth (1998) fruit apple (1989) Nicknames: Evergreen State Origin of name: In honor of George Washington Residents: Washingtonian

51. West Virginia Capital:Charleston Governor: Joe Manchin III, D (to Jan. 2013) Motto:Montanisemperliberi (Mountaineers are always free) flower rhododendron (1903) tree sugar maple (1949) bird cardinal (1949) animal black bear (1973) colors blue and gold (official) (1863) songs “West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home,” “The West Virginia Hills,” and “This Is My West Virginia” (adopted by Legislature in 1947, 1961, and 1963 as official state songs) Nickname: Mountain State Origin of name: In honor of Elizabeth, “Virgin Queen” of England Residents: West Virginian

52. Wisconsin Capital:Madison Governor: Jim Doyle, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto: Forward flower wood violet (1949) tree sugar maple (1949) grain corn (1990) bird robin (1949) animal badger wild life animal white-tailed deer (1957) domestic animal dairy cow (1971) insect honeybee (1977) fish musky (muskellunge) (1955) song “On Wisconsin” mineral galena (1971) rock red granite (1971) symbol of peace mourning dove (1971) soilantigo silt loam (1983) fossil trilobite (1985) dog American Water Spaniel (1986) beverage milk (1988) dance polka (1994) waltz “The Wisconsin Waltz” (2001) ballad “Oh Wisconsin, Land of My Dreams” (2001) Nickname: Badger State Origin of name: French corruption of an Indian word whose meaning is disputed Residents: Wisconsinite

53. Wyoming Capital:Cheyenne Governor: Dave Freudenthal, D (to Jan. 2011) Motto: Equal rights (1955) flower Indian paintbrush (1917) tree cottonwood (1947) bird western meadowlark (1927) dinosaurTriceratops (1994) fish cutthroat trout (1987) fossilKnightia (1987) gemstone jade (1967) insignia bucking horse (unofficial) mammal bison (1985) reptile horned toad (1993) soilForkwood series (unofficial) song “Wyoming” (1955) Nickname: Equality State Origin of name: From the Delaware Indian word, meaning “mountains and valleys alternating”; the same as the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania Residents: Wyomingite

54. Works Cited