The channel catfish (Ictalurus lacustris) was designated the official state commercial fish of Tennessee in 1988 (Tennessee also recognizes a state sport fish; smallmouth bass). All State Fish
The honeybee was recognized as the official state agricultural insect of Tennessee in 1990. Tennessee also recognizes the firefly, ladybug, and the zebra swallowtail butterfly as official state symbols.
The firefly was designated the official state insect of Tennessee in 1975 (also the insect symbol of Pennsylvania).
The ladybug (also called lady beetle or ladybird beetle) was designated an official state insect of Tennessee in 1975 (as was the firefly).
Tennessee has had several nicknames, but the most popular and well-known is "The Volunteer State," a nickname earned during the War of 1812 (thousands of volunteer soldiers from Tennessee played a prominent role in this war, especially during the Battle of New Orleans). This reputation for volunteering was reinforced during the Mexican War when the secretary of state asked for 2,800 Tennessee volunteers and got 30,000 respondents. All State Nicknames
Officially adopted in 1987, the state motto of Tennessee is "Agriculture and Commerce," taken from words on Tennessee's state seal. All State Mottos
Tennessee designated English as the official state language in 1984. All State Languages
18% of the United States population over the age of five speaks a language other than English at home (including Native American languages, Spanish, German, French, Tagalog, Italian, Chinese, Polish, Korean, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and American sign language).
The tulip poplar (Liriodendron Tulipifera) was recognized as the official state tree of Tennessee in 1947. Tennessee also recognizes eastern red cedar (evergreen tree) and the yellowwood (bicentennial tree) as symbols of the state. All State Trees
The yellowwood tree (Cladrastis lutea) was designated the state bicentennial tree of Tennessee in 1991. Tennessee also recognizes the tulip poplar as the official state tree and eastern red cedar as the state bicentennial tree. All State Trees
Tennessee designated eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) as the official state evergreen tree in 2012. Tennessee also recognizes the tulip poplar as the state tree (adopted in 1947), and the yellowwood (adopted in 1991) as the state bicentennial tree) as symbols of the state. All State Trees