1

Texas

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

Also known as the Lone Star, Texas’ flag features a single star on a vertical blue stripe, representing the state’s strong independent spirit. The red stripe represents courage, while the white stripe stands for purity.

In fact, the current design was adopted in 1839 during the Republic of Texas, echoing the state's history as an independent republic before joining the Union in 1845.

2

California

Image: Lesli Whitecotton

California's flag features a grizzly bear, a symbol of strength and independence. The star represents California's status as a republic in 1846 during the Bear Flag Revolt, and the red stripe signifies courage.

Interestingly, the bear depicted on the 1911 version of the flag is said to have been inspired by the last California grizzly bear held in captivity.

3

Arizona

Image: Denisse Leon

Arizona’s flag features a golden star surrounded by red and gold rays, symbolizing both the state’s arid landscape and copper mining industry. The blue and red colors are the same shade used on the flag of the United States.

The star commemorates Arizona’s statehood, achieved in 1912, while the thirteen rays symbolize the original Thirteen Colonies.

4

Colorado

Image: Courtney Cook

Colorado’s flag features blue, white, red, and yellow with a bold "C" encircling a golden disk. The blue symbolizes the sky, gold represents the state’s abundant sunshine, white the snowcapped Rockies, and red the "ruddy" earth.

The gold and white elements also honor Colorado’s gold and silver mining industries. Officially adopted in 1911, the flag stands as a tribute to the state’s natural beauty and pioneering heritage.

5

Florida

Image: Karl Callwood

Florida’s flag features a red cross with the state seal at the intersection. The cross represents the state's Spanish heritage, as it was originally founded by Spanish explorers.

The seal depicts a shoreline where a Seminole woman spreads flowers. While some suggest the woman represents the historical heroine Milly Francis, there is no evidence to support this theory. A Sabal palm and a steamboat complete the scene, reflecting Florida's vibrant scenery.

6

Maryland

Image: Gary Cole

Maryland’s flag stands out with its bold black and gold pattern, divided into quarters. The design incorporates elements from the family crest of the Calverts, the state’s founding family.

During the colonial era, Maryland used only the gold and black Calvert arms. The colors fell out of use after American independence but were reintroduced in 1854.

7

South Carolina

Image: Kelly

South Carolina’s flag features a white palmetto tree on a blue field, with a crescent moon beside it. The roots of this design have existed in some form since 1775, being based on one of the first American Revolutionary War flags.

An early version of this flag, known as the Moultrie Flag, was famously flown during the defense of a fortress on Sullivan's Island against the British fleet. The palmetto tree was later added as a symbol of the island’s successful defense.

8

Tennessee

Image: Brandon Hooper

Tennessee’s flag features three stars arranged in a triangular pattern, symbolizing the three regions of the state —East, Middle, and West Tennessee. The red, white, and blue colors align with the state’s commitment to unity and its place in the Union.

The current version, designed by Colonel Le Roy Reeves, was adopted in 1905. However, an earlier version already aimed to represent the state's three distinct regions with three slanted bars of red, white, and blue.

9

Hawaii

Image: little plant

Hawaii’s flag is unique among U.S. state flags. It features a Union Jack in the upper left corner, reflecting the historical ties between Britain and the Hawaiian Kingdom. It was first adopted in the early 19th century by the Kingdom of Hawaii and retained when the state joined the U.S. in 1959.

The eight horizontal stripes represent the eight main islands of Hawaii: Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Niʻihau.

10

Indiana

Image: Lucas Beck

Indiana’s flag features a large gold torch, with 19 smaller stars surrounding it, representing Indiana's status as the 19th state to join the Union. The torch symbolizes enlightenment and the path to progress.

Adopted in 1917, the flag’s design was chosen through a contest offering a cash prize. The winning design, created by Paul Hadley of Mooresville, Indiana, was selected as the official flag with only minor modifications.

11

Maine

Image: Aubrey Odom

Maine’s flag features a shield with a pine tree at its center, flanked by a farmer and a sailor, representing the state’s agricultural and maritime heritage. The North Star above the shield symbolizes guidance and Maine’s motto, "Dirigo," meaning "I Lead."

The pine tree is a nod to Maine’s nickname as the Pine Tree State. Adopted in 1909, the flag’s design emphasizes Maine’s strong connection to its natural resources.

1

New York, The Empire State

Probably the most famous and recognizable state nickname, no one really knows who was the first to call New York State the "Empire State", but everyone agrees on the reason for the nickname. The state of New York has always been one of the richest, most developed, and strategically important territories in America , a powerhouse akin to an empire. George Washington himself had described it as "the seat of the Empire" in 1785, and many believe that these words were the source of the nickname.

2

Indiana, The Hoosier State

Another instantly recognisable nickname, the origin of the term ‘Hoosier’ is also widely debated. Believed to have emerged in the 1830s, some say that it is a deformation of the phrase "Who's here?". No matter its actual origin, the term was popularized by John Finley's 1833 poem "The Hoosier's Nest" , a description of rugged but welcoming Indiana pioneers, and it became a source of pride for the state, so much so that ‘Hoosier’ was officially adopted as a demonym by the state of Indiana in 2017.

3

Delaware, The First State

Delaware was not the first colony to exist or to become a state. In fact, Delaware wasn’t even a colony: it was technically part of Pennsylvania. The ‘first’ referenced in the nickname alludes to Delaware’s role in the ratification of the U.S. Constitution , a task that took time and political compromise, as several states had concerns about the document and its articles. But while it took nearly two years for all the states to ratify the Constitution, it took less than three months for Delaware to do so unanimously, setting a precedent for other states.

4

Virginia, The Old Dominion

Probably the oldest state nickname still in use, Virginia’s ‘Old Dominion’ nickname has existed for more than 400 years. The first English colony in America, Virginia was also the main colony to remain faithful to the monarchy during the English Civil War , supporting the exiled King, inviting him to take refuge in their territory, and resisting the siege from the Parliamentary fleet for a long time. After the restoration, King Charles II conferred the colony the title of ‘dominion’ —similar to a kingdom in rank— and affectionately called it "the most Ancient Colloney and Dominion."

5

Oklahoma, The Sooner State

Although it is now used as a symbol of a competitive and pioneering attitude, the term ‘Sooner’ was not always seen as positive. During the Land Rush of April 22, 1889, the U.S. government opened a territory —freed by the forced displacement of thousands on ative Americans— for pioneers to take. At noon, a bugle would signal that settlers could enter and claim areas of land. However, several pioneers broke the rules, entering the territory ‘sooner’ , before the signal. Initially a pejorative nickname, the people of Oklahoma eventually owned the term as a symbol of their ‘can-do’ attitude.

6

Connecticut, The Constitution State

Unlike what many people think, Connecticut’s nickname is not related to the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the ‘constitution’ referenced in it predates the American Constitution by more than a century. Unlike other colonies, established by royal charters, the Connecticut Colony was established through The Fundamental Orders , a document delineating a representative government based on "the free consent of the people". The Fundamental Orders are considered to be the first written constitution in Western modern history, a fact that gave Connecticut its nickname.

7

Tennessee, The Volunteer State

Out of the many things that showcase Tennessee’s patriotism, none is as old or as well-documented as its volunteer vocation. Starting during the Revolutionary War, with the Appalachian Overmountain men volunteering to fight during the Battle of King's Mountain, Tennessee’s men's willingness to volunteer as soldiers became known during the War of 1812 , with hundreds fighting under Andrew Jackson’s command and earning Tennessee the name of the Volunteer State. To further solidify it, when President James K. Polk asked Tennessee for 2,800 volunteers during the Mexican-American War of 1846, the state responded to the call by sending 30,000 volunteer troops.

8

Vermont, The Brave Little State

A relatively more recent nickname than others in this list, the description of Vermont as a ‘brave little state’ dates back to 1928. After a flood in 1927 resulted in nearly 100 casualties and millions of dollars in damages, President Coolidge, a Vermont native, visited the state to assess the situation. Coolidge, often seen as calm and taciturn, gave an emotional speech praising the efforts and the resilience of his fellow Vermonters , and their ties to a land that gave them sustenance but posed the hazard of natural disasters. Coolidge ended his speech by acknowledging the generosity of the people of "this brave little state of Vermont", a phrase that became so popular that it was later inscribed in the Vermont State House and became a common nickname for the state.

9

Wisconsin, The Badger State

Though badgers can be found across Wisconsin, they are far less common than one would think, especially considering the state’s nickname. But this nickname has little to do with real badgers and much to do with people behaving like a badger. In the 1820s, prospectors all over America travelled to Wisconsin to look for lead ore. Working all day in the mines and lacking proper housing, the miners usually ended up living in the mines or digging holes in the hillsides to serve as shelter , which led people to compare them with burrowing badgers. Eventually, the ‘badger’ nickname became a symbol of the tenacity of the miners, and a point of pride for all Wisconsinites, who campaigned in 1957 to officially adopt the badger as their state animal.

10

Nebraska, The Cornhusker State

Though this famous nickname for Nebraska has ties with the agricultural identity of the state, it actually originated in the world of college football. Before 1900, the University of Nebraska football team had used several nicknames, such as Bugeaters, Tree Planters, or Rattlesnake Boys. Following a rough patch and wanting to give the team a new direction, sportswriter Charles Sherman suggested the nickname ‘cornhusker’ as a homage to the traditional corn husking done by hand by the Nebraska settlers . The name caught on and was eventually made extensive to all Nebraskans, being officially adopted by the state in 1945.

1

Mourning Dove

Image: Anish Lakkapragada

The melancholic name of the mourning dove comes from its sad call , which the casual listener might mistake for an owl. Mourning Doves inhabit a wide range of open habitats, including suburbs and urban parks.

Their call is generally referred to as the "perch coo," a song sung by an unmated male from a perch. These birds have other well-known nicknames, such as "turtle doves" and "rain doves."

2

Northern Mockingbird

Image: Tyler Jamieson Moulton

More than just mockers, mockingbirds are expert singers, continuously adding new imitations of other birds' songs to their repertoires and sometimes mimicking unnatural sounds, such as car alarms. Northern mockingbirds may learn up to 200 different sounds.

These medium-sized, long-tailed gray songbirds prefer open habitats with a scattering of shrubs and small trees. They eat a wide variety of fruits, invertebrates, and even small vertebrates, such as lizards.

3

White-breasted Nuthatch

Image: Patrice Bouchard

You can recognize this bird by its white face and underside, bluish back and wings, dark crown, nasal "yank-yank" call, and its habit of creeping down tree trunks headfirst.

The name "nuthatch" is derived from "nut hacker," reflecting the bird's method of opening up nuts by jamming them into a crevice and then hammering at them.

4

Downy Woodpecker

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

The smallest woodpecker in North America, the Downy Woodpecker is a stubby-billed, black-and-white bird that inhabits deciduous woods and tree-filled urban and suburban parklands. It forages on trees, shrubs, and large weeds for insects and other arthropods.

The "downy" in this bird's common name refers to the soft, white feathers of its long, white back stripe . The "woodpecker" part refers to the fact that this bird pecks bark, looking for termites hidden underneath it.

5

House Finch

Image: Patrice Bouchard

Originally found only in the West, the House Finch was introduced to the eastern U.S. in 1939, when a few individuals were released from a pet store. The word "finch" comes from the German idiom fink , which refers to a lively or cheerful person —a description that certainly fits this active and gregarious songbird. The term "house" refers to the bird’s tendency to hang around human dwellings.

6

Song Sparrow

Image: Patrick Fobian

Song Sparrows, as their name suggests, sing a cheerful and recognizable song. Although these birds can be found in a wide range of habitats, their favorite spots are often close to streams and other sources of fresh water.

The English word "sparrow" derives from the Anglo-Saxon word spearwa . This term means "flutterer," an apt description for this active songbird.

7

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

The only hummingbird that regularly breeds in the eastern U.S. is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The male's metallic-looking red throat, or "gorget," explains the first part of the name. And the hummingbird part comes from the humming sound their wings make as they fly.

8

Blue Jay

Image: David Bridle

The "bullies" of the birdfeeder, Blue Jays' name comes from the bird's noisy, garrulous nature. This term has also been applied to other birds of the same family, which are generally gregarious as well.

Before approaching a feeder, Blue Jays often give harsh calls that sound like those of hawks, perhaps to scare off other birds that might compete for access to the bird seed.

9

Tufted Titmouse

Image: Paul Crook

These curiously named birds form longer-lasting family units than many other songbirds, with their younglings sometimes even hanging around for a second year to help raise younger siblings. The "titmouse" name has nothing to do with rodents, but instead comes from an Old English phrase meaning "small bird."

10

Spotted Towhee

Image: Anish Lakkapragada

Spotted Towhees are members of the sparrow family. These birds have dark heads and backs, white spots on their wings, rusty sides, and striking red eyes. Their song is a simple trill.

The name "towhee" is a simulation of the bird's call and it was coined in 1731 by the naturalist and bird artist, Mark Catesby.