Symbol | Official Item

by Paul Belanger

In 1977 New Hampshire designated The Old Man of the Mountain by Paul Belanger as an official honorary song of the state. The Old man on the mountain is also New Hampshire's official state emblem.

Lyrics

O Way up North
On Cannon Mountain
Way up North
Where the wind blows Free

There's the oldest Man
Old Man of the Mountain
Way up North
With the birds and the bees

He's way up High
He's made of Stone
He was made by God
and God Alone

South Carolina designated the northern right whale as the official state migratory marine mammal in 2009. The right whale can be found off the South Carolina coast during the breeding and calving season. 

South Carolina designated the bottlenose dolphin as the official state marine mammal in 2009. Dolphins are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves. They are carnivores, eating primarily fish and squid. Often incorrectly called porpoise, dolphins are in the order Cetacea (whales) and are considered to be among the most intelligent of animals.

The following is from DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER, 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, FL 33050-6019, Phone: 305-289-1121, Website: www.dolphins.org:

South Carolina designated the mule as the official state heritage work animal in 2010 (Missouri also recognizes the mule as a state symbol). All State Mules & Horses

South Carolina designated the white-tailed deer (odocoileus virginianus) as the official state animal in 1972. An animal of incredible beauty and power, white-tailed deer are able to run up to 40 miles per hour, jump 9 foot fences, and swim 13 miles per hour.

The white underside of the deer's tail waves when running and is flashed as a warning when danger is sensed. Both native Americans and settlers relied on the white-tailed deer for buckskin and food.

Michigan designated white-tailed deer as the official state game animal in 1997. Zeeland fourth-graders campaigned to include the white-tailed deer among Michigan's official state symbols. All State Mammals

South Carolina designated the shag as the official state dance in 1984. The Shag is a type of swing dance that developed during the 1930's and 40's combining nimble footwork with upbeat rhythm and blues (known as beach music, which is recognized separately as a symbol of South Carolina).

Shagging originated at open-air beach parties on the North and South Carolina coasts (North Carolina also recognized the shag as a state symbol in 2005). South Carolina also adopted an official state folk dance (the square dance).

North Carolina designated the Thalian Association as the official state community theater in 1975 (Thalia was the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry in Greek mythology). Wilmington's gorgeous historic Thalian Hall was built in 1858 and has been restored to its original appearance.

In addition to offering community theater, special events, and children's theater, Thalian Hall is a regular location for films and shows such as "Dream A Little Dream" "Sleeping With The Enemy," "Young Indiana Jones," "Matlock," and "Dawson’s Creek."

North Carolina designated the shag as the official state popular dance in 2005 (clogging was also named at this time as the state folk dance). The Shag is a type of swing dance that developed during the 1930's and 40's combining nimble footwork with upbeat rhythm and blues (known as beach music). Shagging originated at open-air beach parties on the North and South Carolina coasts. South Carolina also recognizes the shag as a state symbol.

North Carolina designated the Colonial Spanish mustang as the official state horse in 2010 after numerous requests from the students of Shawboro Elementary School in Currituck County and the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. All State Horses

Wild horses have roamed North Carolina’s Outer Banks for hundreds of years. They are the direct descendants of Colonial Spanish mustangs brought by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. These unique horses are critically endangered, in fact nearly extinct.