Symbol | Official Item

New York designated the apple (genus malus) as official state fruit in 1976. New York also adopted the apple muffin as a state symbol in 1987. All State Foods

The apple muffin was adopted as the official state muffin of New York in 1987 through efforts of students throughout New York state (the apple is also the official state fruit of New York, designated in 1976). All State Foods

The great seal of New York features the state's coat of arms  (adopted in 1778) surrounded by the words "The Great Seal of the State of New York" (the state flag also features New York's coat of arms). All State Seals

The New York state flag features the state's coat of arms on a field of deep blue. Although the state flag wasn't adopted until 1901, New York's coat of arms was officially adopted in 1778 (the state seal also features New York's coat of arms). All State Flags

New York was named after the English Duke of York and Albany (and the brother of England's King Charles II) in 1664 when the region called New Amsterdam was taken from the Dutch. The state was a colony of Great Britain until it became independent on July 4, 1776. All State Name Origins

The New York Convention of delegates ratified the U.S. Constitution on July 26, 1788, making New York the eleventh state to join the Union.

Among the several dozen species of ladybug beetle found in New York state, the endangered nine-spotted ladybug (coccinella novemnotata) was designated the official state insect of New York in 1989. Six other states have adopted the ladybug as a state symbol (Delaware, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Ohio and North Dakota). All State Insects

Massachusetts legislature designated "Massachusetts (Because of You Our Land is Free)" by Bernard Davidson as the official patriotic song of the Commonwealth in 1989. All State Songs

"Ode to Massachusetts" (words and music by Joseph Falzone) was designated the official state ode of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2000. All State Songs

Massachusetts designated "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts" by Lenny Gomulka as the official state polka song in 1998. All State Songs

Massachusetts designated "Rolling Rock" (a balanced glacial boulder located in the city of Fall River, MA) as the official state glacial rock of the Commonwealth in 2008. All State Rocks & MInerals