Summary
This is a list of symbols of the state of New York in the United States. The majority of the state symbols are officially listed in the New York Consolidated Laws in Article 6, Sections 70 through 87.[1] The symbols are recognized by these laws and were signed into law by the governor of New York.
The oldest symbols, the state flag and the state arms, were adopted in 1778. The most recent addition to the list, yogurt, was added in 2014. The origin of the state motto dates back to 1784. During a tour of the state's harbors, waterways, and fertile interior, George Washington referred to New York as the "Seat of Empire". The term "The Big Apple" was coined by jazz musicians of the 1930s who used the slang expression "apple" when referring to any city.
The state insect took nine years to become official. In 1980, fifth grader Kristina Savoca sent a letter - along with a petition bearing 152 signatures - to New York State Assemblyman Robert C. Wertz, urging him to introduce legislation designating the lady beetle as the official state insect. The proposal languished for a number of years, passing in the Assembly but not being considered in the Senate. Approval finally came in 1989, after Cornell University entomologists suggested that Wertz propose the nine-spotted lady beetle (Coccinella novemnotata, sometimes abbreviated to C-9) as the state insect because it was a native lady beetle.
Insignia edit
| Type | Symbol | Year | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flag | Flag of New York | 1778[2] | 
|
| Seal | Seal of New York | 1778[2] | 
|
| Coat of arms | The Coat of Arms of New York | 
| |
| Motto | Excelsior (Ever upward) | 1784[3] | |
| Nickname | The Empire State | 1784[3] | |
| Slogan | "I Love New York" (official) | 1977[4] | 
|
Flora and fauna edit
| Type | Symbol | Year | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butterfly | Red-spotted purple/white admiral Limenitis arthemis |
2008[5] | 
|
| Bird | Eastern bluebird Sialia sialis |
1970[6] | 
|
| Dog | Working dog | 2015[7][8] | 
|
| Mammal | North American beaver Castor canadensis |
1975[9] | 
|
| Reptile | Snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina |
2006[10][11] | 
|
| Freshwater fish | Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis |
1975[12] | 
|
| Salt water fish | Striped bass Morone saxatilis |
2006[12] | 
|
| Insect | Nine-spotted ladybug Coccinella novemnotata |
1989[13] | 
|
| Tree | Sugar maple Acer saccharum |
1956[14] | 
|
| Bush | Lilac bush Syringa vulgaris |
2006[10][15] | 
|
| Flower | Rose | 1955[16] | 
|
Geology edit
| Type | Symbol | Year | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemstone | Garnet | 1969[17] | 
|
| Fossil | Sea scorpion Eurypterus remipes |
1984[18] | 
|
| Shell | Scallop Argopecten irradians |
1988[13] | 
|
Culture edit
| Type | Symbol | Year | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage | Milk | 1981[13] | 
|
| Fruit | Apple | 1976[19] | 
|
| Muffin | Apple muffin | 1987[13] | 
|
| Snack | Yogurt | 2014[20][21] | 
|
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "New York State Information". 2004-08-18. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ a b "New York State Flag and Great Seal of the State of New York". New York State Library. 2008-03-31. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ a b "New York State Symbols". New York State Department of Economic Development. 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "I (love) NY". New York State Library. 2007-03-21. Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ [1] Archived April 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "New York State Bird – Eastern Bluebird". New York State Library. 2002-07-01. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "Section 90. State dog", New York Consolidated Laws, State Law, Article 6, retrieved 2019-12-26
- ^ "'Working dog' designated as NY's official state dog", Niagara Gazette, AP, December 24, 2015, retrieved 2019-12-29
- ^ "New York State Animal – Beaver". New York State Library. 2001-01-29. Archived from the original on 2008-11-09. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ a b "More New York State Emblems: State Beverage, Muffin, Shell, Insect". New York State Library. 2000-12-22. Archived from the original on October 8, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "New York State Reptile". State Symbols USA. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ a b "State symbols and emblems". Net State. 2008-03-29. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ a b c d "New York State Symbols". New York State Department of Economic Development. 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "New York State Tree – Sugar Maple". New York State Library. 1997-06-16. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "New York State Bush". State Symbols USA. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "New York State Flower – Rose". New York State Library. 1997-06-16. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "New York State Gem- Garnet". New York State Library. 1997-06-16. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "New York State Fossil – Eurypterus Remipes". New York State Library. 1997-06-16. Archived from the original on 2008-10-03. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "New York State Fruit – Apple". New York State Library. 1997-06-16. Archived from the original on 2007-03-22. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "Section 89. State snack", New York Consolidated Laws, State Law, Article 6, retrieved 2019-12-30
- ^ Madore, James T. (October 15, 2014), "It's official: Yogurt is New York's state snack", Newsday, retrieved 2019-12-30
External links edit
- New York State Information
- Top Facts[permanent dead link]
- State symbols and emblems
- New York State Symbols