South Dakota – Wyoming
We have traveled a lot throughout the US and have actually been to 41 of the 50 States. Thus I decided to share some information about each state as well as the state road sign. If we didn’t get to a state sign yet (or forgot to get one while we were there), I have posted another picture of a state sign and will replace it once we have pictures. In the meantime, please enjoy the information on the states from South Dakota – Wyoming. FYI, these are in alphabetical order.
State of South Dakota
he South Dakota flag features the state seal surrounded by a golden blazing sun in a field of sky blue. Letters reading “South Dakota, The Mount Rushmore State” — the official state nickname — are arranged in a circle around the sun.
South Dakota was the 40th state to join the union.
It was settled in 1859 and entered the union on Nov. 2, 1889.
The state capitol is in Pierre.
Their nickname is: Mount Rushmore State
Their motto is: Under God the people rule
Origin of state’s name: South Dakota is the land of the famous Sioux or Dacotah Indians. Dakota Territory and later South Dakotans were named for the tribe.
State of Tennessee
Tennessee was the 15th state to join the union.
It was settled in 1769 and entered the union on June 1, 1796.
The state capitol is in Nashville
Their nickname is: The Volunteer State
Their motto is: Agriculture and Commerce
Origin of state’s name: Named after Cherokee Indian villages called “Tanasi”
State of Texas
The flag was adopted as the state flag when Texas became the 28th state in 1845. As with the flag of the United States, the blue stands for loyalty, the white represents strength, and the red is for bravery. It is still seen today as a symbol of Texas’ independent spirit, and gave rise to the state’s official nickname “The Lone Star State”.
Texas was the 28th state to join the union.
It was settled in 1682 and entered the union on Dec. 29, 1845.
The state capitol is in Austin.
Their nickname is: The Lone Star State
Their motto is: Friendship
Origin of state’s name: Based on a word used by Caddo Indians meaning “friends”
State of Utah
On a blue field appears the state seal. In the center of the seal is a beehive, the state emblem, with a sego lily growing on either side. The sego lily stands for peace. The state motto “Industry” means steady effort. A national flag shows that Utah supports the United States. The eagle stands for protection in peace and war. The date 1847 represents the year that Brigham Young led a group of people to the Salt Lake Valley to reestablish in Utah, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as The Mormons. The date 1896 represents the year that Utah gained admission to the Union of the United States
Utah was the 45th state to join the union.
It was settled in 1847 and entered the union on Jan. 4, 1896.
The state capitol is in Salt Lake City.
Their nickname is: The Beehive State
Their motto is: Industry
Origin of state’s name: Taken from the name of the Ute Indians, whose name means “people of the mountains”
State of Vermont
The picture on a deep blue field is a scene painting. You see a tall pine tree, a cow, and sheaves of wheat. The Green Mountains are in the distance. Pine boughs extend around a shield. The name “Vermont” and the state motto “Freedom and Unity” are displayed on a crimson banner. At the top of the shield is a stag’s head
Vermont was the 14th state to join the union.
It was settled in 1724 and entered the union on March 4, 1791.
The state capitol is in Montpelier.
Their nickname is: The Green Mountain State
Their motto is: Freedom and Unity
Origin of state’s name: Based on the French verts monts, meaning “green mountains”
State of Virginia
A deep blue field contains the seal of Virginia with the Latin motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis” – “Thus Always to Tyrants”. Adopted in 1776. The two figures are acting out the meaning of the motto. Both are dressed as warriors. The woman, Virtue, represents Virginia. The man holding a scourge and chain shows that he is a tyrant. His fallen crown is nearby.
Virginia was the 10th state to join the union.
It was settled in 1607 and entered the union on June 25, 1788.
The state capitol is in Richmond.
Their nickname is: Old Dominion State
Their motto is: Sic Semper Tyrannis” or “Thus Always to Tyrants
Origin of state’s name: Named after England’s Queen Elizabeth I, the “Virgin Queen”
State of Washington
The state flag and the state seal are similar. Passed in 1923, Washington state law describes the flag as having dark green bunting with a state seal in the center. It is the only state flag that is green. It is also the only state flag with a picture of a president.
Washington was the 42nd state to join the union.
It was settled in 1829 and entered the union on Nov. 11, 1889.
The state capitol is in Olympia.
Their nickname is: The Evergreen State
Their motto is: Alki. An Indian word meaning “bye and bye.
Origin of state’s name: Named after George Washington
State of West Virginia
A white field is bordered in dark blue. West Virginia’s flag displays a rock containing the date June 20, 1863, the day West Virginia became a state. The two men represent farming and mining. Below them are two rifles with a “Liberty Cap” on top of the rifles. A banner ribbon includes the state motto “Mountaineers Are Always Free”. Around the picture are a wreath of rhododendron and the name of the state on a red ribbon
West Virginia was the 35th state to join the union.
It was settled in 1607 and entered the union on June 20, 1863.
The state capitol is in Charleston.
Their nickname is: The Mountain State
Motto is: Montani Semper Liberi – Latin for Mountaineers are Always Free
Origin of state’s name: Named after England’s Queen Elizabeth I, the “Virgin Queen”
State of Wisconsin
Starting at the top of a shield on a dark blue field is the state motto “Forward”. Below it is a badger the state animal. A sailor and miner show that the people work on water and land. The shield in the center shows Wisconsin’s support for the United States. In four sections surrounding the shield are representations of the state’s main industries: agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and navigation. The cornucopia and pile of lead represent farm products and minerals. The flag law was amended in 1979 to include the name of the state and the date of statehood.
Wisconsin was the 30th state to join the union.
It was settled in 1766 and entered the union on May 29, 1848.
The state capitol is in Madison.
Their nickname is: The Badger State
Their motto is: Forward
Origin of state’s name: Based on an Indian word “Ouisconsin” is believed to mean “grassy place” in the Chippewa tongue
State of Wyoming
A bison on a blue field bordered in white and red. The state seal is branded on the bison. The woman represents the state motto “Equal Rights” and the two men represent cattle ranchers and miners. The words “Livestock”, “Mines”, “Grains” and “Oil” represent Wyoming’s wealth. The eagle and shield show support for the United States. The dates 1869 and 1890 tell when Wyoming was organized as a territory of the United States and when it became a state
Wyoming was the 44th state to join the union.
It was settled in 1834 and entered the union on July 10, 1890.
The state capitol is in Cheyenne.
Their nickname is: The Equality State
Their motto is: Equal rights
Origin of state’s name: Based on an Algonquin or Delaware Indian word meaning “large prairie place”
South Dakota – Wyoming are US states 41-50 in alphabetical order. I hope you have enjoyed learning a little about each of these states. If you have enjoyed these, make sure to check out my list for the states:
Alabama – Georgia
Hawaii – Maryland
Massachusetts-New Jersey
New Mexico – South Carolina
Please feel free to leave any comments, questions, suggestions, etc below. I would love to hear what you think.
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