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Copyright 2001. The Lazy 'C' - All rights reserved.
history
Nearly 100 years after achieving statehood, Missouri adopted an official flag on March 22, 1913. The flag was designed by the late Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Watkins Oliver, wife of former State Senator R.B. Oliver. The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, white and blue. These represent valour, purity, vigilance and justice. In the centre white stripe is the Missouri coat-of-arms, circled by a blue band containing 24 stars, denoting that Missouri was the 24th state.
Nickname: The Show Me State.
Capital: Jefferson City.
Constitution: The 24th State.
Statehood: August 10th 1821.
Motto: Solus pouli suprema lex esto - The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law
History:
Many Indian tribes--among them the Missouri, the Osage, the Fox, and the Sauk--lived in the Missouri region when French explorers arrived in 1673. France claimed the entire Mississippi Valley. In 1803, France sold the region to the United States.
Many settlers poured in, and the Indians became angered by the loss of their lands. They led frequent raids on the settlements until 1815, when the Indians and the U.S. government signed a peace treaty.
Many American Civil War (1861-1865) battles were fought in Missouri. The state did not secede (withdraw) from the Union, but some Missouri leaders were strongly pro-South.
During World War II (1939-1945), many industries were developed in Missouri to provide military supplies. Urban problems became serious in Missouri during the 1970's. Missouri's farming community suffered during a national farm crisis in the mid-1980's. The state also faced environmental and financial problems in the 1980's, but its economy remained strong.
Bird:
On March 30, 1927, the native bluebird became the official state bird of Missouri. The bluebird, considered a symbol of happiness, is usually 6 1/2 to 7 inches long. While its upper parts are covered with light blue plumage, its breast is cinnamon red, turning rust-coloured in the fall. The bluebird is common in Missouri from early spring until late November. (RSMo 10.010)
Economy:
Agriculture: Cattle, soybeans, hogs, dairy products, corn, poultry and eggs.
Industry: Transportation equipment, food processing, chemical products, electric equipment, fabricated metal products.
Flower:
Hawthorn - On March 16, 1923, Governor Arthur M. Hyde signed a bill naming the white hawthorn blossom the official state floral emblem of Missouri. Known as the "red haw" or "white haw," the hawthorn (crateagus) is a member of the great rose family, which resembles the apple group. The hawthorn blossoms have greenish-yellow centres and form in white clusters. More than 75 species of the hawthorn grow in Missouri, particularly in the Ozarks. (RSMo 10.030)
Origin of state's name:
Named after Missouri Indian tribe whose name means "town of the large canoes".
Seal:
The Great Seal was designed by Judge Robert William Wells and adopted by the Missouri General Assembly on January 11, 1822. The centre of the state seal is composed of two parts. On the right is the United States coat-of-arms containing the bald eagle. In its claws are arrows and olive branches, signifying that the power of war and peace lies with the U.S. federal government. On the left side of the shield, the state side, are a grizzly bear and a silver crescent moon. The crescent symbolizes Missouri at the time of the state seal's creation, a state of small population and wealth which would increase like the new or crescent moon; it also symbolizes the "second son," meaning Missouri was the second state formed out of the Louisiana Territory.
This shield is encircled by a belt inscribed with the motto, "United we stand, divided we fall," which indicates Missouri's advantage as a member of the United States. The two grizzlies on either side of the shield symbolize the state's strength and its citizens' bravery. The bears stand atop a scroll bearing the state motto, "Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto," which means, "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law." Below this scroll are the Roman numerals for 1820, the year Missouri began its functions as a state.
The helmet above the shield represents state sovereignty, and the large star atop the helmet surrounded by 23 smaller stars signified Missouri's status as the 24th state. The cloud around the large star indicates the problems Missouri had in becoming a state. The whole state seal is enclosed by a scroll bearing the words, "The Great Seal of the State of Missouri." (RSMo.10.060)
Tree:
Flowering dogwood - On June 20, 1955, the flowering dogwood (Cornus Florida L.) became Missouri's official tree. The tree is small in size, rarely growing over 40 feet in height or 18 inches in diameter. The dogwood sprouts tiny greenish-yellow flowers in clusters, with each flower surrounded by four white petals. The paried, oval leaves are olive green above and covered with silvery hairs underneath. In the fall, the upper part of the leaves turns scarlet or orange and bright red fruits grow on the tree.
Many Indian tribes--among them the Missouri, the Osage, the Fox, and the Sauk--lived in the Missouri region when French explorers arrived in 1673. France claimed the entire Mississippi Valley. In 1803, France sold the region to the United States.
Many settlers poured in, and the Indians became angered by the loss of their lands. They led frequent raids on the settlements until 1815, when the Indians and the U.S. government signed a peace treaty.
Many American Civil War (1861-1865) battles were fought in Missouri. The state did not secede (withdraw) from the Union, but some Missouri leaders were strongly pro-South.
During World War II (1939-1945), many industries were developed in Missouri to provide military supplies. Urban problems became serious in Missouri during the 1970's. Missouri's farming community suffered during a national farm crisis in the mid-1980's. The state also faced environmental and financial problems in the 1980's, but its economy remained strong.
Bird:
On March 30, 1927, the native bluebird became the official state bird of Missouri. The bluebird, considered a symbol of happiness, is usually 6 1/2 to 7 inches long. While its upper parts are covered with light blue plumage, its breast is cinnamon red, turning rust-coloured in the fall. The bluebird is common in Missouri from early spring until late November. (RSMo 10.010)
Economy:
Agriculture: Cattle, soybeans, hogs, dairy products, corn, poultry and eggs.
Industry: Transportation equipment, food processing, chemical products, electric equipment, fabricated metal products.
Flower:
Hawthorn - On March 16, 1923, Governor Arthur M. Hyde signed a bill naming the white hawthorn blossom the official state floral emblem of Missouri. Known as the "red haw" or "white haw," the hawthorn (crateagus) is a member of the great rose family, which resembles the apple group. The hawthorn blossoms have greenish-yellow centres and form in white clusters. More than 75 species of the hawthorn grow in Missouri, particularly in the Ozarks. (RSMo 10.030)
Origin of state's name:
Named after Missouri Indian tribe whose name means "town of the large canoes".
Seal:
The Great Seal was designed by Judge Robert William Wells and adopted by the Missouri General Assembly on January 11, 1822. The centre of the state seal is composed of two parts. On the right is the United States coat-of-arms containing the bald eagle. In its claws are arrows and olive branches, signifying that the power of war and peace lies with the U.S. federal government. On the left side of the shield, the state side, are a grizzly bear and a silver crescent moon. The crescent symbolizes Missouri at the time of the state seal's creation, a state of small population and wealth which would increase like the new or crescent moon; it also symbolizes the "second son," meaning Missouri was the second state formed out of the Louisiana Territory.
This shield is encircled by a belt inscribed with the motto, "United we stand, divided we fall," which indicates Missouri's advantage as a member of the United States. The two grizzlies on either side of the shield symbolize the state's strength and its citizens' bravery. The bears stand atop a scroll bearing the state motto, "Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto," which means, "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law." Below this scroll are the Roman numerals for 1820, the year Missouri began its functions as a state.
The helmet above the shield represents state sovereignty, and the large star atop the helmet surrounded by 23 smaller stars signified Missouri's status as the 24th state. The cloud around the large star indicates the problems Missouri had in becoming a state. The whole state seal is enclosed by a scroll bearing the words, "The Great Seal of the State of Missouri." (RSMo.10.060)
Tree:
Flowering dogwood - On June 20, 1955, the flowering dogwood (Cornus Florida L.) became Missouri's official tree. The tree is small in size, rarely growing over 40 feet in height or 18 inches in diameter. The dogwood sprouts tiny greenish-yellow flowers in clusters, with each flower surrounded by four white petals. The paried, oval leaves are olive green above and covered with silvery hairs underneath. In the fall, the upper part of the leaves turns scarlet or orange and bright red fruits grow on the tree.