List of Indiana state symbols explained

The U.S. state of Indiana has 17 official state emblems, as well as other designated official and unofficial items. The majority of the symbols in the list are officially recognized and created by an act of the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by the governor. They are listed in Indiana Code Title 1, Article 2, State Emblems which also regulates the appearance and applicable use of the items.[1]

Compared to other states, Indiana has few official symbols. The first symbol was the Seal of Indiana, which was made official in 1801 for the Indiana Territory and again in 1816 by the state of Indiana.[2] It served as the state's only emblem for nearly a century until the adoption of the state song in 1913.[3] For many years, Indiana was the only state without a flag. The official state banner was adopted in 1917, and renamed the state flag in 1955.[4] The newest symbol of Indiana is the state fossil, mastodon, which was declared in 2022.[5]

Insignia

width=12% Typewidth=21% Symbolwidth=49% class=unsortable Descriptionwidth=8% Adoptedwidth=10% class=unsortable Imagewidth=5% class="unsortable"
FlagFlag of IndianaIndiana's flag has a blue background with a torch in the center. The torch is surrounded by nineteen stars: the thirteen in the outer ring representing the original colonies, the five in the inner ring representing the next five states admitted (prior to Indiana), and the one on top of the torch representing Indiana.1917[6]
MottoCrossroads of AmericaIndiana is the site of many cross-country roads, including the National Road and U.S. Route 41.1937
SealSeal of IndianaIndiana's seal depicts a setting sun, sycamore trees, a woodsman, and a jumping bison.1816[7]

Species

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BirdNorthern cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis)		The male cardinal is bright red and the female is brown and dull red. They live in Indiana year-round.1933[8]
FlowerPeony
(Paeonia)		The peony is a red, pink, or white flower that blooms in late May. It is grown throughout Indiana.1957[9]
FossilMastodon
(Mammut americanum)		Mastodons roamed Indiana starting about 2.5 million years ago and became extinct about 10,500 years ago. Mastodons are now the most common Ice Age fossil found in Indiana.2022[10]
InsectSay's firefly
(Pyractomena angulata)		The males of this flying beetle species produce amber flashes of light at night to attract mates. It is named for New Harmony, Indiana naturalist Thomas Say.2018[11]
TreeTulip tree
(Liriodendron tulipifera)		The tulip tree is also called the yellow poplar. It has a distinctive leaf shape and yellow, bell-shaped flowers. It is a tall tree and grows throughout Indiana.1931[12]

Geology

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RiverWabash RiverBeginning near the Ohio–Indiana border, the Wabash flows for more than across Northern Indiana, turning southward where it forms a portion of the Illinois–Indiana border. It is the second largest tributary to the Ohio River and is the longest segment of free-flowing river east of the Mississippi River.1996[13] [14]
StoneIndiana limestoneThe Indiana variety of limestone, also called Salem or Bedford, is significantly quarried in south-central Indiana. It is a high-quality stone used in the construction of many prominent civic buildings across the U.S., including the Empire State Building and the Pentagon. A sculpture commemorating the state stone sits in the Indiana Statehouse.1971[15]

Culture

width=12% Typewidth=21% Symbolwidth=49% class=unsortable Descriptionwidth=8% Adoptedwidth=10% class=unsortable Imagewidth=5% class="unsortable"
AircraftRepublic P-47 Thunderbolt Hoosier Spirit IIThe Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was a World War II-era fighter aircraft manufactured at Republic Aviation's Evansville, Indiana, plant. In 2021, the statute was amended to specifically designate the Hoosier Spirit II, one of 6,242 aircraft built at the plant. Hoosier Spirit II is displayed at the Evansville Wartime Museum.2015—[16] [17]
FirearmGrouseland RifleThe Grouseland Rifle is a long rifle crafted in the early-1800s by gunsmith John Small for then-governor of the Indiana Territory, William Henry Harrison. The firearm is displayed in Vincennes, Indiana, at its namesake Grouseland.2012—[18]
LanguagesEnglish
American Sign Language		English is the native language of over 95% of the state's residents.1984
1995		[19]
Poem"Indiana""Indiana" is by Arthur Franklin Mapes, the former Indiana State Poet Laureate. The poem describes the state's natural beauty.1963—[20]
Poet laureateMatthew Graham2005—[21]
SnackIndiana grown popcornAccording to the USDA, Indiana was the nation's largest popcorn producer in 2021. Nearly were devoted to growing popcorn (particularly in White and Pulaski counties) valued at US$100 million. Orville Redenbacher's and Pop Weaver are popular popcorn brands originated in Indiana.2021[22] [23] [24]
Song"On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away"The song was written and composed by songwriter Paul Dresser reminiscing about his childhood home along the Wabash River in Terre Haute, Indiana.1913[25]

Unofficial symbols and unsuccessful proposals

While most states have an official nickname, the Indiana General Assembly never officially adopted one. Indiana's unofficial nickname is The Hoosier State.[26] A word of unknown origin, Hoosier is the official demonym for the people of Indiana.[27]

The state has had several unofficial marketing slogans through the years, including "Restart Your Engines" (2006–2014), "Honest-to-Goodness Indiana" (2014–2022),[28] and most recently, "IN Indiana".[29]

Indiana's unofficial state soil, Miami, is a brown silt loam found widely across the state. The soil is productive for cultivation, contributing to the state's robust agricultural economy.

The Indiana Senate approved a resolution naming water as the official state beverage in 2007.[30]

Sugar cream pie (or "Hoosier Pie") was designated the "unofficial state pie" in 2009.[31]

Notes

At the time, the northern cardinal's scientific name was Richmondena Cardianalis Cardinalis. It was changed in 1983.[32]

From 1923 to 1931, the state flower was the flower of the tulip tree. From 1931 to 1957, the state flower was the Zinnia.[33]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: IC 1-2. Indiana Code. Indiana Office of Code Revision. August 20, 2009. November 18, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091118190807/http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title1/ar2/. dead.
  2. Web site: Indiana's State Seal—An Overview . 2008-01-28 . . 2009-04-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090419161805/http://www.in.gov/history/2804.htm . live .
  3. Web site: Henderson. Clayton W. Paul Dresser. Indiana Historical Society. 2012-10-12. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120921030745/http://www.indianahistory.org/our-collections/library-and-archives/notable-hoosiers/paul-dresser. 2012-09-21.
  4. Web site: Indiana's State Banner. Indiana Historical Bureau. 2008-06-01. 2009-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20090319014400/http://www.in.gov/history/2687.htm. live.
  5. Web site: Indiana lawmakers name mastodon as first state fossil. 2022-02-23. WFYI. 2022-02-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20220222181026/https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/indiana-lawmakers-name-mastodon-as-first-state-fossil. live.
  6. Web site: Indiana State Flag . 2008-01-28 . . 2008-06-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080619070015/http://www.in.gov/history/2797.htm . live .
  7. Web site: Indiana State Seal . 2008-01-28 . . 2009-03-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090319013710/http://www.in.gov/history/2803.htm . live .
  8. Web site: Indiana State Bird . 2008-01-28 . . 2009-03-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090319013713/http://www.in.gov/history/2796.htm . live .
  9. Web site: Indiana State Flower. 2008-01-28. Indiana Historical Bureau. 2009-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20090319013702/http://www.in.gov/history/2798.htm. live.
  10. Web site: Indiana lawmakers name mastodon as first state fossil. 2022-02-21. WHAS-TV. 2022-02-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20220221142354/https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/indiana/mastodons-indiana-first-official-fossil/417-cd2d6a5f-6a90-4fd2-a182-3d2bf1175f1f. live.
  11. News: Say's Firefly to become state insect after bill lights its way through the Indiana House. Indianapolis Star. 2018-03-01. en. 2018-10-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20181011035141/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2018/02/27/says-firefly-become-state-insect-after-bill-blazes-its-way-through-indiana-house/377640002/. live.
  12. Web site: Indiana State Tree . 2008-01-28 . . 2009-03-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090319013702/http://www.in.gov/history/2798.htm . live .
  13. Web site: Indiana State River . . January 28, 2008 . March 19, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090319013706/http://www.in.gov/history/2799.htm . live .
  14. December 2011 . Wabash River Watershed Section 729 Initial Watershed Assessment . US Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District . 5 . December 29, 2022 . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229065329/https://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Portals/64/docs/CWProjects/WabashStudy.pdf . live .
  15. Web site: Indiana State Stone . . January 28, 2008 . March 19, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090319013706/http://www.in.gov/history/2799.htm . live .
  16. News: P-47 Thunderbolt Named Official State Aircraft of Indiana . June 24, 2015 . September 1, 2019 . . September 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190901044958/https://www.14news.com/story/29399467/p-47-thunderbolt-named-official-state-aircraft-of-indiana/ . live .
  17. Web site: New look unveiled for Evansville's P-47, Hoosier Spirit II . tristatehomepage.com . . May 7, 2021 . November 7, 2022 . November 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108022724/https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/new-look-unveiled-for-evansvilles-p-47-hoosier-spirit-ii/ . live .
  18. Web site: Evans . Tim . Replica of Grouseland Rifle, the official state gun, commissioned for bicentennial . indystar.com . The Indianapolis Star . February 16, 2016 . November 7, 2022 . November 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221117042106/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/02/16/replica-william-henry-harrisons-grouseland-rifle-commissioned-bicentennial/80402246/ . live .
  19. Web site: Indiana State Language . 2008-01-28 . . 2008-06-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080621152649/http://www.in.gov/history/2802.htm . live .
  20. Web site: Indiana State Poem . . January 28, 2008 . April 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200421053052/https://www.in.gov/history/2801.htm . live .
  21. Web site: Brinkman . Joyce . Indiana Poet Laureate . IAC . July 8, 2021 . July 9, 2022 . July 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220708135321/https://www.in.gov/arts/programs-and-services/partners/indiana-poet-laureate/ . live .
  22. Web site: Mills . Wes . It's Official: Popcorn is Indiana's State Snack . Inside Indiana Business . July 2, 2021 . November 6, 2022 . November 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221107021030/https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/its-official-popcorn-is-state-snack . live .
  23. Web site: Quinlan . Erica . Pop-ular popcorn: Indiana a top producing popcorn state . agrinews-pubs.com . Shaw Media . January 13, 2022 . November 7, 2022 . November 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108022724/https://www.agrinews-pubs.com/news/science/2022/01/14/pop-ular-popcorn-indiana-a-top-producing-popcorn-state/ . live .
  24. Web site: News Release: 2021 Indiana Popcorn Production . nass.usda.gov . United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Great Lakes Region . January 12, 2022 . November 7, 2022 . November 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108022729/https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Indiana/Publications/Current_News_Release/2022/nr2205in.pdf . live .
  25. Web site: Indiana State Song . 2008-01-28 . . 2009-03-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090319013709/http://www.in.gov/history/2800.htm . live .
  26. Web site: State emblems. Indiana Historical Bureau. 2009-08-20. 2009-11-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20091125032404/http://www.in.gov/history/emblems.htm. live.
  27. Web site: Don't Call Them Indianians; They're Hoosiers . Groppe . Maureen . January 12, 2017 . . . November 7, 2022 . October 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171020085344/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/01/12/hoosiers-indianians-government-printing-office-style-guide-indiana/96461434/ . live .
  28. Web site: Sikich . Chris . 'Honest-to-Goodness Indiana' too wholesome? . The Indianapolis Star . February 13, 2014 . November 6, 2022 . November 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221107061508/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/13/new-slogan-too-wholesome-for-some-hoosiers/5443679/ . live .
  29. Web site: Kane . Lizzie . 'IN Indiana': State launches tourism campaign following height of COVID-19 pandemic . The Indianapolis Star . June 8, 2022 . November 6, 2022 . December 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221226133550/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2022/06/08/indiana-launches-tourism-marketing-campaign-in-indiana/7555601001/ . live .
  30. Web site: Senate Resolution 20, 2007 . Indiana General Assembly . January 31, 2011 . October 15, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121015072042/http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2007/SRESP/SR0020.html . live .
  31. Web site: Senate Resolution 59, 2009 . Indiana General Assembly . February 7, 2020 . August 3, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200803115435/http://archive.iga.in.gov/2009/bills/SRESP/SR0059.html . live .
  32. Book: Ritchison, Gary. Wild bird guides. Stackpole Books. 1997. 0-8117-3100-6. 2009-08-22. 2.
  33. Web site: State Tree of Indiana . Indiana Woodland Steward . . 2007-11-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071008145849/http://www.fnr.purdue.edu/inwood/state%20tree%20poster.htm . 2007-10-08 . dead .

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