List of Indiana state symbols

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Location of the state of Indiana in the United States, highlighted in red. Indiana in United States.svg
Location of the state of Indiana in the United States, highlighted in red.

The U.S. state of Indiana has 17 official state emblems, as well as other designated official and unofficial items. The majority of the symbols in the list are officially recognized and created by an act of the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by the governor. They are listed in Indiana Code Title 1, Article 2, State Emblems which also regulates the appearance and applicable use of the items. [1]

Contents

Compared to other states, Indiana has few official symbols. The first symbol was the Seal of Indiana, which was made official in 1801 for the Indiana Territory and again in 1816 by the state of Indiana. [2] It served as the state's only emblem for nearly a century until the adoption of the state song in 1913. [3] For many years, Indiana was the only state without a flag. The official state banner was adopted in 1917, and renamed the state flag in 1955. [4] The newest symbol of Indiana is the state fossil, mastodon, which was declared in 2022. [5]

Insignia

TypeSymbolDescriptionAdoptedImageRef.
Flag Flag of Indiana Indiana's flag has a blue background with a torch in the center. The torch is surrounded by nineteen stars: the thirteen in the outer ring representing the original colonies, the five in the inner ring representing the next five states admitted (prior to Indiana), and the one on top of the torch representing Indiana.1917 Flag of Indiana.svg [6]
Motto Crossroads of America Indiana is the site of many cross-country roads, including the National Road and U.S. Route 41.1937 Welcome to Indiana, Crossroads of America.jpg [7]
Seal Seal of Indiana Indiana's seal depicts a setting sun, sycamore trees, a woodsman, and a jumping bison.1816 Indiana-StateSeal.svg [8]

Species

TypeSymbolDescriptionAdoptedImageRef.
Bird Northern cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis) [A] 		The male cardinal is bright red and the female is brown and dull red. They live in Indiana year-round.1933 Cardinalis cardinalis1.jpg [9]
Flower Peony
(Paeonia) [B] 		The peony is a red, pink, or white flower that blooms in late May. It is grown throughout Indiana.1957 White peony.png [10]
Fossil Mastodon
(Mammut americanum)		Mastodons roamed Indiana starting about 2.5 million years ago and became extinct about 10,500 years ago. Mastodons are now the most common Ice Age fossil found in Indiana.2022 Mammut americanum ROM - American Mastodon.jpg [11] [5]
Insect Say's firefly
(Pyractomena angulata)		The males of this flying beetle species produce amber flashes of light at night to attract mates. It is named for New Harmony, Indiana naturalist Thomas Say.2018 Lightning Bug - Pyractomena angulata%3F, Leesylvania State Park, Woodbridge, Virginia.jpg [12]
Tree Tulip tree
(Liriodendron tulipifera)		The tulip tree is also called the yellow poplar. It has a distinctive leaf shape and yellow, bell-shaped flowers. It is a tall tree and grows throughout Indiana.1931 2015-05-18 12 44 22 Tulip Tree blossoms along Terrace Boulevard in Ewing, New Jersey.jpg [13]

Geology

TypeSymbolDescriptionAdoptedImageRef.
River Wabash River Beginning near the Ohio–Indiana border, the Wabash flows for more than 500 miles (800 km) across Northern Indiana, turning southward where it forms a portion of the Illinois–Indiana border. It is the second largest tributary to the Ohio River and is the longest segment of free-flowing river east of the Mississippi River.1996 Wabashrivermap.png [14] [15]
Stone Indiana limestone The Indiana variety of limestone, also called Salem or Bedford, is significantly quarried in south-central Indiana. It is a high-quality stone used in the construction of many prominent civic buildings across the U.S., including the Empire State Building and the Pentagon. A sculpture commemorating the state stone sits in the Indiana Statehouse.1971 Bedford, IN limestone, Indiana Statehouse.JPG [16]

Culture

TypeSymbolDescriptionAdoptedImageRef.
Aircraft Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Hoosier Spirit IIThe Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was a World War II-era fighter aircraft manufactured at Republic Aviation's Evansville, Indiana, plant. In 2021, the statute was amended to specifically designate the Hoosier Spirit II, one of 6,242 aircraft built at the plant. Hoosier Spirit II is displayed at the Evansville Wartime Museum.2015— [17] [18]
Firearm Grouseland RifleThe Grouseland Rifle is a long rifle crafted in the early-1800s by gunsmith John Small for then-governor of the Indiana Territory, William Henry Harrison. The firearm is displayed in Vincennes, Indiana, at its namesake Grouseland.2012— [19]
Languages English
American Sign Language 		English is the native language of over 95% of the state's residents.1984
1995		 COVID-19 Press Conference IMG 2533 (49701729178).jpg [20]
Poem "Indiana""Indiana" is by Arthur Franklin Mapes, the former Indiana State Poet Laureate. The poem describes the state's natural beauty.1963— [21]
Poet laureate Matthew Graham2005— [22]
Snack Indiana grown popcorn According to the USDA, Indiana was the nation's largest popcorn producer in 2021. Nearly 100,000 acres (40,000 ha) were devoted to growing popcorn (particularly in White and Pulaski counties) valued at US$100 million. Orville Redenbacher's and Pop Weaver are popular popcorn brands originated in Indiana.2021 Popcorn02.jpg [23] [24] [25]
Song "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away"The song was written and composed by songwriter Paul Dresser reminiscing about his childhood home along the Wabash River in Terre Haute, Indiana.1913 On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away, sheet music cover with Bessie Davis, Paul Dresser, 1897.jpg [26]

Unofficial symbols and unsuccessful proposals

While most states have an official nickname, the Indiana General Assembly never officially adopted one. Indiana's unofficial nickname is The Hoosier State. [7] A word of unknown origin, Hoosier is the official demonym for the people of Indiana. [27]

The state has had several unofficial marketing slogans through the years, including "Restart Your Engines" (2006–2014), "Honest-to-Goodness Indiana" (2014–2022), [28] and most recently, "IN Indiana". [29]

Indiana's unofficial state soil, Miami, is a brown silt loam found widely across the state. The soil is productive for cultivation, contributing to the state's robust agricultural economy.

The Indiana Senate approved a resolution naming water as the official state beverage in 2007. [30]

Sugar cream pie (or "Hoosier Pie") was designated the "unofficial state pie" in 2009. [31]

Notes

A At the time, the northern cardinal's scientific name was Richmondena Cardianalis Cardinalis. It was changed in 1983. [32]
B From 1923 to 1931, the state flower was the flower of the tulip tree. From 1931 to 1957, the state flower was the Zinnia. [33]

See also

Related Research Articles

Hoosier is the official demonym for the people of the U.S. state of Indiana. The origin of the term remains a matter of debate, but "Hoosier" was in general use by the 1840s, having been popularized by Richmond resident John Finley's 1833 poem "The Hoosier's Nest". Indiana adopted the nickname "The Hoosier State" more than 150 years ago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Indiana</span> Flag of the US state of Indiana

The current flag of Indiana was designed by Paul Hadley and officially adopted by the State of Indiana in May 1917.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana State Fair</span> Annual fair held in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

The Indiana State Fair is an annual state fair that spans 18 days in July and August in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. The Indiana State Fair debuted in 1852 at Military Park in Indianapolis and is the sixth oldest state fair in the U.S. It is the largest event in the state, drawing between 730,000 and 980,000 visitors annually since 2010. In 2015, readers of USA Today ranked the Indiana State Fair among the ten best state fairs in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall</span> Basketball arena at Indiana University Bloomington

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall ,is a 17,222-seat arena on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. It is the home of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball and women's basketball teams. It opened in 1971, replacing the "New" IU Fieldhouse. The court is named after Branch McCracken, the men's basketball coach who led the school to its first two NCAA National Championships in 1940 and 1953.

Crossroads of America is the official motto of the U.S. state of Indiana. Various cities in the Midwestern United States also use the phrase or a variant thereof to describe their location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana Statehouse</span> State capitol building of the U.S. state of Indiana

The Indiana Statehouse is the state capitol building of the U.S. state of Indiana. It houses the Indiana General Assembly, the office of the Governor of Indiana, the Indiana Supreme Court, and other state officials. The Statehouse is located in the capital city of Indianapolis at 200 West Washington Street. Built in 1888, it is the fifth building to house the state government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball</span> Mens basketball team of Indiana University Bloomington

The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I college basketball and competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Hoosiers play at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on the Branch McCracken Court in Bloomington, Indiana on the Indiana University Bloomington campus. Indiana has won five National Championships in men's basketball – two coming under Branch McCracken and three under Bob Knight. For forty-seven years and counting, Indiana's 1976 squad remains the last undefeated NCAA men's basketball champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana Historical Society</span> State historical society in Indiana, United States

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is one of the United States' oldest and largest historical societies. It describes itself as "Indiana's Storyteller".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sugar cream pie</span> Dessert

Sugar cream pie is a custard pie made with a simple filling of butter, flour, cream and sugar sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. It is considered one of the desperation pies because the custard filling is made without eggs. The dessert may also be called finger pie in reference to the filling being stirred by the cook's finger before baking, as doing so avoids breaking the crust. It is similar to chess pie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana</span> U.S. state

Indiana is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the south and southeast, and the Wabash River and Illinois to the west. Nicknamed "the Hoosier State", Indiana is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th state on December 11, 1816.

References

  1. ↑ "IC 1-2". Indiana Code . Indiana Office of Code Revision. Archived from the original on November 18, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Indiana's State Seal—An Overview". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 2009-04-19. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  3. ↑ Henderson, Clayton W. "Paul Dresser". Indiana Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  4. ↑ "Indiana's State Banner". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  5. 1 2 "Indiana lawmakers name mastodon as first state fossil". WFYI. Archived from the original on 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  6. ↑ "Indiana State Flag". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 2008-06-19. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  7. 1 2 "State emblems". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  8. ↑ "Indiana State Seal". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  9. ↑ "Indiana State Bird". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  10. ↑ "Indiana State Flower". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  11. ↑ "Indiana lawmakers name mastodon as first state fossil". WHAS-TV. Archived from the original on 2022-02-21. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  12. ↑ "Say's Firefly to become state insect after bill lights its way through the Indiana House". Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  13. ↑ "Indiana State Tree". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  14. ↑ "Indiana State River". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on March 19, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
  15. ↑ Wabash River Watershed Section 729 Initial Watershed Assessment (PDF) (Report). US Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District. December 2011. p. 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Indiana State Stone". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on March 19, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
  17. ↑ "P-47 Thunderbolt Named Official State Aircraft of Indiana". WFIE-TV. June 24, 2015. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  18. ↑ "New look unveiled for Evansville's P-47, Hoosier Spirit II". tristatehomepage.com. WEHT. May 7, 2021. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  19. ↑ Evans, Tim (February 16, 2016). "Replica of Grouseland Rifle, the official state gun, commissioned for bicentennial". indystar.com. The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Indiana State Language". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 2008-06-21. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  21. ↑ "Indiana State Poem". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
  22. ↑ Brinkman, Joyce (July 8, 2021). "Indiana Poet Laureate". IAC. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  23. ↑ Mills, Wes (July 2, 2021). "It's Official: Popcorn is Indiana's State Snack". Inside Indiana Business. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  24. ↑ Quinlan, Erica (January 13, 2022). "Pop-ular popcorn: Indiana a top producing popcorn state". agrinews-pubs.com. Shaw Media. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  25. ↑ "News Release: 2021 Indiana Popcorn Production" (PDF). nass.usda.gov. United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Great Lakes Region. January 12, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Indiana State Song". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  27. ↑ Groppe, Maureen (January 12, 2017). "Don't Call Them Indianians; They're Hoosiers". USA Today . Gannett. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  28. ↑ Sikich, Chris (February 13, 2014). "'Honest-to-Goodness Indiana' too wholesome?". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  29. ↑ Kane, Lizzie (June 8, 2022). "'IN Indiana': State launches tourism campaign following height of COVID-19 pandemic". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Senate Resolution 20, 2007". Indiana General Assembly. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
  31. ↑ "Senate Resolution 59, 2009". Indiana General Assembly. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  32. ↑ Ritchison, Gary (1997). Wild bird guides. Stackpole Books. p. 2. ISBN   0-8117-3100-6 . Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  33. ↑ "State Tree of Indiana". Indiana Woodland Steward. Purdue University. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-11-23.

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