List of Delaware state symbols#Tall ship
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File:Delaware in United States (zoom).svg in the United States of America]]
In the state of Delaware, numerous symbols have been approved by the Delaware General Assembly and added to the Delaware Code.
Insignia
{{Further|List of U.S. state, district, and territorial insignia}}
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| Flag
|The flag of Delaware |Consists of a buff-colored diamond on a field of colonial blue, with the coat of arms of the state of Delaware inside the diamond. Below the diamond, the date December 7, 1787, declares the day on which Delaware became the first state to ratify the United States Constitution. The colors of the flag reflect the colors of the uniform of General George Washington. |1913 |[http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c003/index.shtml#P66_2552 Delaware Code Title 29 § 306] |
| Seal
|The great seal of the state of Delaware |First adopted in 1777, with the current version being adopted in 2004. It contains the state coat of arms surrounded by the inscription "Great Seal of the State of Delaware" and the dates 1704, 1776 and 1787. |1777 |[http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c003/index.shtml#P13_126 Delaware Code Title 29 § 301] |
| Motto
|Derived from the Order of Cincinnati |1847 |— | |
| rowspan="5" |Nicknames
|The First State |Adopted to commemorate Delaware becoming the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. |2002 | 150px |[http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c003/index.shtml#P187_5917 Delaware Code Title 29 § 318] |
| The Diamond State
|This nickname comes from the legend that Thomas Jefferson described Delaware as a jewel among states due to its strategic location on the Eastern Seaboard. | |— | |
| Blue Hen State
|This nickname comes from the fighting Blue Hen cocks that were carried with soldiers for entertainment during the Revolutionary War. | | File:Delaware Blue rooster.png | |
| Small Wonder
|This nickname comes from substantial contributions Delaware has made as compared to its relatively small size. | |— | |
| The Last State
|Some residents of states that were also formerly part of the 13 original colonies have given this name to Delaware as a parody or insult to its classic nickname "The First State". Adopted to commemorate Delaware becoming among the last of the 13 original states to ratify the Articles of Confederation. | |— |
Species
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| Fruit
| |2010 |[http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c003/index.shtml#P66_2552 Delaware Code Title 29 § 322] |
| Bird
|The Blue Hen has been used as many political campaigns and publications. |1939 |File:Delaware Blue rooster.png |[http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c003/index.shtml#P46_2288 Delaware Code Title 29 § 304] |
| Insect
|Officially adopted at the suggestion of Mollie Brown-Rust's second grade class at the Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford, Delaware. |1974 |
| Tree
|American holly |Regarded as one of Delaware's most important forest trees |1939 |
| Flower
|Officially adopted in recognition of peach tree orchards yielding thousands of dollars worth of crop worth at that time. |1895 |
| Fish
|Weakfish |Officially adopted in recognition of its values as a game and food fish. |1981 |
| Herb
|Sweet goldenrod |Officially adopted indigenous to the state, commonly found in coastal areas and along the edges of marshes and thickets |1996 |[http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c003/index.shtml#P137_5151 Delaware Code Title 29 § 313] |
| Butterfly
|Eastern tiger swallowtail |Officially adopted as indigenous to Delaware and commonly found in deciduous woods, along streams, rivers, and wooded swamps, and in towns and cities throughout Delaware. They were chosen based on a statewide vote of public and parochial students, out of suggestions from students of the Richardson Park Learning Center. |1999 |File:Pristine Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.jpg |[http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c003/index.shtml#P157_5390 Delaware Code Title 29 § 315] |
| Marine animal
|Horseshoe crab |Officially adopted in recognition of its importance and value in the medical field and as the principal food source for more than a million shore birds. |2002 |
| Macroinvertebrate
|Stonefly |Officially adopted in recognition of the importance of excellent water quality and the vital role played by healthy aquatic ecosystems. It was supported by Gunning-Bedford Middle School, Salesianum High School, Delcastle Technical High School, Dickinson High School Environmental Club, The Independence School, Springer Middle School, St. Andrews School, and The Charter School of Wilmington. |2005 |
| Wildlife animal
|Grey fox{{efn|Delaware state code specifies the spelling "grey".}} | |2010 |
Geology
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| Mineral
|Recognized by geologists in Delaware prior to 1830, is widespread throughout the schists of the Delaware Piedmont, and occurs as large masses and stream-rounded boulders at the Brandywine Springs State Park | |
| Fossil
|Officially adopted at the suggestion of Kathy Tidball's third grade Quest students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Wilmington, Delaware. The fossil, an extinct squid with a conical shell, is commonly found along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. |1996 |[http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c003/index.shtml#P147_5295 Delaware Code Title 29 § 314] |
| Soil
|Commonly found in all counties in Delaware and enhancing water quality, agriculture, wildlife habitat, and natural landscape beauty |2000 | |
Culture
Other
File:1969 Delaware license plate 000000 sample.jpg|License plate for Delaware
File:1999 DE Proof.png|State quarter for Delaware
See also
Notes
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References
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External links
- [https://delaware.gov/topics/facts/index.shtml Delaware Facts and Symbols]
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