Michigan's traditional nickname is "The Wolverine State." There are many theories as to how Michigan came to have this nickname. The wolverine has a reputation as having "a vicious disposition and destructive capabilities." All State Nicknames
The official state motto of Nebraska is "Equality before the law." The state motto appears on the state flag and the great seal of Nebraska.
The name "Nebraska" is based on an Oto Indian word Nebrathka meaning "flat water" (referring to the Platte River, which is also an official symbol of Nebraska). Some communities in Nebraska that are also names of native American Indian tribes:
Cities: Arapahoe, Ogallala, Omaha, Pawnee City, Santee, Ponca, Macy, Winnebago.
Counties: Cheyenne, Dakota, Keya Paha, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Sioux.
Missouri's state motto is Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto (Latin for "The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law"). The motto is displayed on Missouri's state seal. All State Mottos
The name Missouri originates from the native American Sioux of the state called the Missouris. All State Name Origins
The Smithsonian Bureau of American Ethnology states that Missouri means town of the large canoes. Other authorities say the original native American syllables (from which the word came) mean wooden canoe people, he of the big canoe, or river of the big canoes.
Missouri's most well-known nickname is; "The Show-Me State." Although the nickname has not been officially recognized by Missouri's Legislature, it can be seen on Missouri license plates. All State Nicknames
There are several stories concerning the origin of the "Show-Me" slogan. The most widely known story gives credit to Missouri's U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver for coining the phrase in 1899. During a speech in Philadelphia, he said:
The official nickname for South Carolina is The Palmetto State, referring to the state tree (the sabal palmetto). Commonly called the cabbage palmetto, the sabal palmetto (Inodes Palmetto) was added to the "National" flag of South Carolina after it seceded from the Union in 1861. A palmetto remains on the present-day state flag, a sabal palm appears on the South Carolina state seal, and is even mentioned in the salute to the flag of South Carolina ("I salute the flag of South Carolina and pledge to the Palmetto State love, loyalty and faith").
The official nickname for Minnesota is "The North Star State" which originates from the French motto appearing on Minnesota's state flag and seal: "l’étoile du nord" (translation: "the star of the north").
Minnesota adopted a new state flag on December 19, 2023. It was first raised over the state capitol on Saturday, May 11, 2024 which is also Statehood Day in Minnesota. All State Flags
The dark blue field represents the night sky and shape of the state. The bright blue field represents water. Minnesota is the last of over 10,000 lakes! The 8 point star represents the North Star or "L’étoile du Nord," Minnesota’s state motto.
The official state seal of Minnesota also appears on the state flag. It features the French motto; "l’étoile du nord," which means "the star of the North" (the state motto and the basis for Minnesota's nickname: "The North Star State").