South Dakota designated the fiddle as the official state musical instrument in 1989. Wilbur Foss, a native American of Scottish descent, organized the South Dakota Old Time Fiddlers Association, which has been in existence for over thirty years.
The fiddle is also a state symbol of Arkansas, Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, All State Dance & Music Symbols
South Dakota's official state motto is "Under God the People Rule." The state motto can be seen on the inner circle of South Dakota's state seal. All State Mottos
South Dakota designated Fairburn agate as the official state gemstone in 1966. Several states have adopted agate as a state symbol. All State Gemstones
This semiprecious stone was first found near Fairburn, South Dakota. Fairburn agate can be found from Orella, Nebraska, to Farmingdale, South Dakota.
South Dakota designated fry bread as the official state bread in 2005. Also known as "squaw bread" in some areas, fry bread is a Native American food. South Dakota also recognizes a state dessert and a state drink. All State Foods
South Dakota designated rodeo as the official state sport in 2003. Texas, Wyoming, and Florida also recognize rodeo as their official state sport. All State Sports
Many rodeos are scheduled in South Dakota between March and October; events include bareback riding, barrel racing, calf roping, team roping and penning, goat tying, bull riding and steer wrestling.
What do you call a resident of Alaska? An "Alaskan" of course!
Not all state resident nicknames are so obvious. A Massachusetts resident is called a "Bay Stater," a person from Ohio is often called a "Buckeye," and let's not forget the "Hoosiers" of Indiana and the "Nutmeggers" in Connecticut! The proper term referring to the "natives of the state" according the U.S. Government Publishing Office Style Manual can be found in references, below.
Nebraska designated John G. Neihardt (1881-1973) as the state's Poet Laureate in 1921.
Neihardt published his first book of poetry in 1908. In 1912 he began writing The Epic Cycle of the West - five long narrative poems which became his chief literary work and his most substantial, unique contribution to the history of Nebraska and the West.
Nebraska also designated William Kloefkorn (1932-2011) as official state poet in 1982, and another Nebraskan (Ted Kooser) ,was named U.S. Poet Laureate for 2004-2006 by the Library of Congress.
Nebraska designated the Holdrege soil series as the official state soil in 1979. The Holdrege soil series was established in Phelps County, Nebraska in 1917 (and named after a community in the county).
Holdrege soils are most common in south-central Nebraska and north-central Kansas; most of these soil areas are used for crops, pasture, or rangeland. Holdrege soil is ideal for growing crops such as wheat, corn, sorghum, and small grains.
Holdrege soils make up about 1.8 million acres in south-central Nebraska.
Nebraska designated the channel catfish as the official state fish in 1997. The most numerous catfish species in North America, the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) can grow to 50 pounds or more (the world record was a channel catfish caught in South Carolina weighing 58 pounds). The average size is between 2 and 4 pounds.
Nebraska designated the Platte River as the official state river in 1998. The name "Nebraska" is based on an Otos Indian word meaning "flat water" (referring to the Platte river).
The Platte river was very significant in the westward expansion of the United States, providing the route for several major westward trails including the Oregon Trail, California Trail, Mormon Trail, Pony Express, the Union Pacific transcontinental railroad, the first trascontinental paved highway (U.S. Highway 30) and Interstate 80.