Idaho designated the square dance as the official state American folk dance in 1989. Twenty-two states have passed legislation to declare the square dance as the state folk dance, and more than thirty bills have been introduced at the federal level proposing the square dance as the national (folk) dance of the United States. All State Dances
Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
Idaho's nickname is "The Gem State" for the abundance of natural resources and scenic areas that include snow-capped mountain ranges, rapids, vast lakes and steep canyons. All State Nicknames
The waters of Snake River rush through Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in the United States. Shoshone Falls plunges down rugged cliffs from a height greater than that of Niagara Falls.
Idaho is an invented word! Mining lobbyist George M. Willing presented the name "Idaho" to congress for a new territory around Pike's Peak, claiming it was a Native American Shoshone phrase: "E Dah Hoe (How)," supposedly meaning "Gem of the Mountains." By the time the deception was discovered, the name "Idaho" was already in common use. All State Name Origins
Idaho designated "Here we Have Idaho" (sometimes called "Our Idaho") as the official state song in 1931; verses by Albert J.Tompkins, chorus by McKinley Helm, music by Sallie Hume-Douglas. All State Songs
The majestic western white pine (Pinus Monticola pinaceae) was designated the official state tree of Idaho in 1935. The largest and best western white pine forests can be found in northern Idaho in the Coeur d’Alene and Bitterroot Mountains (the tree is often called the soft Idaho white pine or just the Idaho white pine). All State Trees
The huckleberry was designated the official state fruit of Idaho in 2000 (fourth-grade students from Southside Elementary School in Bonner County proposed adopting the huckleberry as Idaho's state fruit). Idaho also recognizes an official state vegetable. All State Foods
The potato was designated the official state vegetable of Idaho in 2002 (Idaho also recognizes an official state fruit). All State Foods
Idaho designated English as the official state language in 2007. Many states have recognized official languages, including Native American languages and American sign language. All State Languages
The lovely mountain bluebird was designated the official state bird of Idaho in 1931 (the mountain bluebird is also the state bird of Nevada). Idaho also recognizes an official state raptor. All state birds
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) was designated the official state insect of Idaho in1992, thanks to the efforts of 4th grade students at Boise's Cole Elementary School (with help from their teacher). Seven states have adopted the iconic monarch butterfly as an insect symbol (WV, VT, TX, MN, IL, ID, AL) All State Insects