Symbol | Official Item

West Virginia fossil coral was designated the official state gem of West Virginia in 1990. All State Gems - All State Fossils

West Virginia designated Jefferson’s ground sloth, or Megalonyx jeffersonii (a giant prehistoric ground sloth) as the official state fossil in 2008 to promote the earth sciences; "affording an opportunity for special studies in American, state and natural history for the students of the state" (SCR 28). West Virginia's state gem is also a fossil (fossilized coral). All State Fossils

"West Virginia Day" has been observed on June 20 each year in West Virginia since 1927 to celebrate the anniversary of the day the state was created (West Virginia became the 35th state on June 20, 1863). All State Holidays

West Virginia legislature designated old gold and blue as the official state colors in 1963. Old gold and blue are also the official colors of West Virginia University in Morgantown WV. All State Colors

The camellia was designated the state flower of Alabama in 1959, replacing the original state flower - goldenrod (adopted in 1927). Camellias appear on the Alabama quarter. Alabama also recognizes an official state wildflower. All State Flowers

Each state in the U.S. has selected a representative state soil - a soil that has special significance to the state. Over twenty states have adopted their representative soil as a state symbol, but Alaska legislature has not yet officially recognized a state soil. All State Soils

The official state seal of Alaska was originally designed in 1910 when Alaska was still a territory and not a state. All State Seals

Symbols on Alaska's Seal

Rays above the mountains represent the Northern Lights (aurora borealis).

The smelter symbolizes mining.

The train represents Alaska's rail transportation.

Ships are symbols of marine transportation.

Trees represent Alaska's wealth of forests.

The farmer, horse, and three shocks of wheat are symbols of Alaskan agriculture.

West Virginia's official nickname is "The Mountain State" because, being part of the Appalachian Mountain system, the entire state is filled with hills and old mountains. All State Nicknames

Although the name "Kanawha" was considered, "West Virginia" was ultimately chosen to name the western counties of the state of Virginia which refused to secede from the Union in 1863. All State Name Origins

"Virginia" is in honor of England's Queen Elizabeth I. In the early 1600's, all of North America that wasn't Spanish or French was called "Virginia" after "The Virgin Queen," and the earliest English colonial expeditions were sent by "The Virginia Company of London."

Adopted in 1863, the West Virginia state seal features a large boulder inscribed with "June 20, 1863" (the year West Virginia became a state). All State Seals