The Dutch oven was designated the state cooking vessel of Arkansas in 2001. Like the ax and rifle, the Dutch oven was a basic necessity for early American settlers. These cast iron pots were among the most cherished possessions of explorers, mountain men, settlers going west, and the cattle drive cowboys. Chuck wagon cooks used two or three Dutch ovens when preparing chow.
English was designated the official state language of Arkansas in 1987. Many states recognize English as the state language, but not all (native Hawaiian is the official language of Hawaii).
Arkansas became the 25th state in 1836. The Arkansas quarter features a diamond (the state gem), rice stalks (the state grain), a lake bordered by pines (state tree), with a mallard duck flying above.
Arkansas designated diamond as the official state gem in 1967 (the same legislation, Act 128, recognizes quartz crystal as the state mineral and bauxite as the state rock). Arkansas is one of the few places in North America where diamonds are present and the only place where tourists may hunt for them. The importance of diamonds in Arkansas history is also acknowledged on the state flag and Arkansas state commemorative quarter.
Arkansas designated the square dance as the official state American folk dance in 1991.
Twenty-two states have passed legislation to declare the square dance as a state symbol, and more than 30 bills have been introduced at the federal level proposing the square dance as the national (folk) dance of the United States (beginning in 1965).
Arkansas designated the South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato as the official state fruit and vegetable in 1987. New Jersey recognizes the tomato as the state vegetable and Tennessee adopted the tomato as the official state fruit. Why the descrepancy? Is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable?
"Fruit" and "vegetable" are culinary terms, not botanical. Botanically, a tomato is a large berry (fruit). But tomatos are not as sweet as most fruit and are usually served as part of a salad or main course (as vegetables), rather than at dessert (the usual time for serving fruits).
Creating the Great Seal of Iowa was one of the initial acts of Iowa's first Legislature in 1847. All State Seals
Iowa was almost 75 years old before the state banner was adopted by the Legislature in 1921. With memory of the Civil War still fresh in their minds, Iowans had not adopted a state banner because they felt a national banner was the only one needed. All State Flags
Iowa's flag was designed by the state's Daughters of the American Revolution in response to Iowa national Guardsmen stationed at the Mexican border during WWI that requested an emblem of Iowa to represent their unit.
Milk was recognized as the official state beverage of Arkansas in 1985. Dairy farming is an important part of Arkansas agriculture. Reasons for adopting milk as the state beverage included milk’s healthfulness, the desirability of encouraging milk consumption, and the importance of the dairy sector in Arkansas (dairy production was long a mainstay of Arkansas farming).
I believe in Arkansas as a land of opportunity and promise.
I believe in the rich heritage of Arkansas and I honor
the men and women who created this heritage.
I believe in the youth of Arkansas who will build our future.
I am proud of my state, I will uphold its constitution,
obey its laws, and work for the good of all its citizens.