The State Bird
The mockingbird
(genus Mimus polyglottos) was selected as the state bird in 1933. One of
the finest singers among North American birds, it possesses a melodious
song of its own, and is especially noted for its skill in mimicking the
songs of other birds.
The State Insects
Tennessee has
two official state insects: the firefly and the ladybug. The firefly emits
a luminescent light easily seen on summer evenings. The light is a natural
form of incandescent light which man has never completely duplicated.
The reddish-orange
ladybug has distinctive black spots on each wing cover. It helps farmers
by controlling insect pests, especially aphids. In folk medicine, ladybugs
were believed to cure various diseases such as colic and measles.
The State Gem
Tennessee river
pearls are taken from mussels in the fresh water rivers and come in various
shapes and colors. Unlike cultured pearls, which are partially man-made,
these pearls are totally made by the mussel. They are 100% natural pearl
all the way through.
The State Capitol
In Tennessee's
early history, four different towns served as the seat of government: Knoxville,
Kingston, Murfreesboro and Nashville. Nashville was chosen as the permanent
capital city in 1843. The capitol building was designed by noted architect
William Strickland, who died during its construction and is buried within
its walls. Marble quarried in Tennessee was used for the primary building
material. A magnificent example of Grecian architecture, the building was
begun in 1845 and completed in 1859.
The State Flag
Adopted in 1905,
the flag features three stars representing the grand divisions of the state:
East, Middle and West. The stars are bound together in indissoluble unity
by an unending white band.
The State Tree
The tulip poplar
(Liriodendron Tulipifera) was adopted as the state tree by the State Legislature
in 1947. The tulip poplar was chosen because it was used extensively by
the Tennessee pioneers to construct their houses, barns and other buildings.
The tree sometimes reaches a height of 200 feet and frequently shows 50-100
feet of trunk without a branch. The bark is smooth and brownish gray. The
leaves are very smooth with a broad notch at the tip. The flowers are tulip-like,
green-orange in color, and are 1-3 inches deep. In honor of the state's
Bicentennial celebration in 1996, the yellowwood was named Tennessee's
bicentennial tree.
The State Rocks
Limestone, found
just about everywhere in Tennessee, was declared the official state rock
in 1979. Tennessee marble, as the metamorphic version of limestone is known,
is widely used in public and private buildings. In 1969, the General Assembly
had given similar status to agate, a cryptocrystalline quartz. This semiprecious
gemstone is found only in a few areas of the state.
The State Wildflower
The passion flower
(genus Passiflora) was declared the state wildflower in 1973. It received
its name from early Christian missionaries to South America, who saw in
the flower's various parts symbols of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The State Flower
The iris (Genus
Iridaceae) was designated as the state cultivated flower by the Legislature
in 1933. While there are several different colors among the iris, the purple
iris is commonly accepted as the state flower.
The State Songs
Music is such an
integral part of Tennessee's heritage that there are not one, but five
official state songs: My Homeland, Tennessee ... When It's Iris Time in
Tennessee ... My Tennessee ... Tennessee Waltz ... and Rocky Top.
The State Animal
The raccoon (Procyon
lotor) is a furry mammal with a bushy, ringed tail and a mask-like band
of black hair around its eyes. Raccoons eat fish and frogs that they catch
in rivers and streams. They measure from 30 to 38 inches long and weigh
from 12 to 25 pounds.
Other State Symbols
In 1995, the General
Assembly made the Tennessee cave salamander the official state amphibian
and the box turtle the official state reptile. Other state symbols include:
the Zebra Swallowtail, state butterfly; the Bobwhite Quail, state game
bird; Channel Catfish, state commercial fish; Largemouth Bass, state game
fish; and the Honeybee, state agricultural insect. These can be found by
clicking the reference to the Tennessee Blue Book at www.state.tn.us/sos/
Population/Rank:
5,689,283, Our Nations16th most Populated State.
Statehood: June
1st., 1796, Tennessee is our Nation's 16th State
Orgin of Name:
"Tanasie" The Name of a Cherokee Indian Village
Origional State
Name: "Franklin" origionally named after Benjamin Franklin
Nickname: "The
Volunteer State" given to Tennesseans by their eagerness to serve in our
Nation's Early Military Conflicts.
Capital: Nashville:
since 1826
State Flag: adopted
in 1905
Motto: Agriculture
& Commerce
Bird: Mockingbird
Dance: Square
Dance
Horse: Tennessee
Walking Horse
Insects: Firefly
& the Ladybug
Wild Animal: Raccoon
Flower: Iris
Tree: Tulip Poplar
Mineral: Limestone
Gem: Tennessee
River Pearl
Area: 42,146 Square
Miles
Highest Point:
Clingman's Dome 6,642 ft., located in The Great Smoky Mountains Nation
Park
Lowest Point:
Shelby County 182 ft., West Tennessee
Distance North/South:
116 miles
Distance East/West:
482 miles
Average Rainfall:
52 inches
Hottest Recorded
Temperature: 113* Perryville, July 29, 1930
Lowest Recorded
Temperature: -32* Mountain City, December 30, 1917
Climate: Tennessee
has Four Moderate Seasons of Weather
Average Temperature:
60* Fahrenheit
Geographical Divisions:
Three Regions: East, Middle & West, also known as the "Grand Divisions"
Tennessee's First
Governor: John Sevier
Tennessee's Current
Governor: Phil Bredesen
Current Population
Cities:
Memphis: 650,100
Nasville: 545,524
Knoxville: 179,890
Chattanooga: 155,554
Also, Did you Know?
Tennessee's Reelfoot
Lake (30,000 Acres); in West Tennessee was created from Earthquakes that
occured in 1811-1812. The Mississippi River backed-up and spilled over
it's banks.
Tennessee's Lost
Sea: located in Sweetwater, is the site of the World's Largest Underground
Lake. The Lake Area is measured at 4 1/2 Acres.
Tennessee's Ruby
Falls: in Chattanooga is the location of America's largest Underground
Waterfall measuring 1,120 ft.
Former U.S. Presidents
from Tennessee
Andrew Jackson:
1767-1845, 7th U.S. President
James Knox Polk:
1795-1849, 11th U.S. President
Andrew Johnson:
1808-1875, 17th U.S. President
During the Civil-War:
Tennessee was the Last Southern State to succeed from the Union & the
First Southern State to be Re-Admitted to the Union after the War. (June
8th, 1861-July 24th,1866). Also, Tennessee's Loyalties were equally divided
with the Majority of East Tennesseans remaining loyal to the Union Cause..
Tennessee contributed more Soldiers to the Union (approximately 70,000)
than any other Southern State. Approximately 130,000 Tennesseans also joined
the ranks of the Confederacy during the War.
Tennessee had the
Second-Most Major Civil-War Battles (behind Virginia)
Major Battles
Fought in Tennessee: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Stones River, Chattanooga,
Franklin, Nashville, & Fort Sanders
Tennessee Drew
World Attention in 1925: w/ the Scopes/Monkey Trial in Dayton Tennessee
Bristol is Credited
as The Birthplace of Country Music: The "1927 Bristol Sessions" recorded
by Victor Records of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers.
TVA: in 1937 President
Franklin Roosevelt promised "A New Deal" for the American Worker in which
he established the Tennessee Valley Authority that went on to build dams
and resevoirs throughout the south.
World War II: Approimately
310,000 Tennesseans fought in the War.
Manhatten Project:
Secret Project in Oak Ridge Tennessee during the War in which the U.S.
developed the Nuclear Bomb.
Hank Williams Sr.:
believed by many that he actually died in Knoxville, rather than Virginia,
after his driver loaded him into the backseat of a Cadillac.
Dr. Martin Luther
King: was tragically killed outside the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis in 1968
1982 World's Fair:
Knoxville was the location of the 82 World's Fair (May thru Oct)
1996 Olympics:
although hosted by Atlanta, Ocoee TN was the location of the Olympic White
Water rafting events.
