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history
Navy blue field with gold shield on front and gold beaver on reverse. Below the shield, which is part of the state seal, is written "1859," the year of Oregon's admission to the union as the 33rd state.
The flag of Oregon is the only state flag with different pictures on each side. On the reverse appears a beaver the state animal. Both sides have a field of navy blue with design in gold. The front picture includes a heart shaped shield with an eagle on top, surronded by thirty-three stars. (The number of states in 1859. ) The scene on the shield shows the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, mountains, forests and a covered wagon. A plow, wheat and pickaxe represent farming and mining. Of the two ships: The one leaving is a British ship and the one arriving is a United States ship representing trade. The eagle represents the United States. On a banner are the words "The Union" representing support for the United States. Finally the flag is emblazoned with the words "State of Oregon" above the picture and the date of statehood "1859" below.
The flag of Oregon is the only state flag with different pictures on each side. On the reverse appears a beaver the state animal. Both sides have a field of navy blue with design in gold. The front picture includes a heart shaped shield with an eagle on top, surronded by thirty-three stars. (The number of states in 1859. ) The scene on the shield shows the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, mountains, forests and a covered wagon. A plow, wheat and pickaxe represent farming and mining. Of the two ships: The one leaving is a British ship and the one arriving is a United States ship representing trade. The eagle represents the United States. On a banner are the words "The Union" representing support for the United States. Finally the flag is emblazoned with the words "State of Oregon" above the picture and the date of statehood "1859" below.
Nickname: The Beaver State.
Capital: Salem.
Constitution: The 33rd State.
Statehood: February 14th 1859.
Motto: She flies with her own wings
History:
Many Indian tribes used to live in the Oregon region. During the 1800's, a series of wars took place between Indian tribes and white people. Among them was the spectacular Modoc War (1872-1873), which ended with the defeat of the Indians.
In the early 1800's, the Oregon region covered a much larger area than it does today. Russia, Spain, Great Britain, and the United States all claimed parts of the region. Oregon's present boundaries were drawn in 1853.
During World War II (1939-1945), Oregon became a major port for shipping military supplies. The state experienced difficult economic conditions during the 1980's, caused largely by a decline in the wood products industry. A decline in the timber supply and increased automation resulted in widespread unemployment.
Bird:
The Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) was chosen state bird in 1927 by Oregon's school children in a poll sponsored by the Oregon Audobon Society. Native throughout western North America, the bird has brown plumage with buff and black markings. Its underside is bright yellow with a black crescent on the breast; its outer tail feathers are mainly white and are easily visible when it flies. The Western Meadowlark is known for its distinctive and beautiful song.
Economy:
Agriculture: Cattle, vegetables, nursery stock, fruits and nuts, dairy products, wheat.
Industry: Lumber and wood products, tourism, food processing, paper products, machinery, scientific instruments.
Flower:
A low growing plant, the Oregon Grape is native to much of the Pacific Coast and found sparsely east of the Cascades. Its year-round foliage of pinnated, waxy green leaves resembles holly. The plant bears dainty yellow flowers in early summer and a dark blue berry that ripens late in the fall. The fruit can be used in cooking.
Motto:
"She Flies With Her Own Wings" was adopted by the 1987 Legislature as the state motto. The phrase originated with Judge Jessie Quinn Thornton and was pictured on the territorial seal in Latin: Alis Volat Propiis. The new motto replaces "The Union," which was adopted in 1957.
Origin of state's name:
Historians say Oregon was most likely named after one of two rivers. The Columbia River, which forms a coastline along the northern border, was at one time called the Oregon or Ouragan, which is French for hurricane. Others believe the name was derived from a mapmaker's error in the 1700s. The Wisconsin River was named the Ouisconsink and was picked up by travelers referring to the country west of the Great Lakes as Ourigan.
Seal:
The state seal consists of an escutcheon, or shield, supported by 33 stars and divided by an ordinary, or ribbon, with the inscription "The Union." Above the ordinary are the mountains and forests of Oregon, an elk with branching antlers, a covered wagon and ox team, the Pacific Ocean with setting sun, a departing British man-of-war signifying the departure of British influence in the region and an arriving American merchant ship signifying the rise of American power. Below the ordinary is a quartering with a sheaf of wheat, plow and pickax, which represent Oregon's mining and agricultural resources. The crest is the American Eagle. Around the perimeter of the seal is the legend "State of Oregon 1859."
A resolution adopted by the Constitutional Convention in session on September 17, 1857, authorized the president to appoint a committee of three--Benjamin F. Burch, L.F. Grover and James K. Kelly--to report on a proper device for the seal of the state of Oregon. Harvey Gordon created a draft, to which the committee recommended certain additions that are all incorporated in the state seal.
Tree:
The Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), named for David Douglas, a 19th century Scottish botanist, was designated state tree in 1939. Great strength, stiffness and moderate weight make it an invaluable timber product said to be stronger than concrete. Averaging up to 200' in height and six feet in diameter, heights of 325' and diameters of 15' also can be found.
Many Indian tribes used to live in the Oregon region. During the 1800's, a series of wars took place between Indian tribes and white people. Among them was the spectacular Modoc War (1872-1873), which ended with the defeat of the Indians.
In the early 1800's, the Oregon region covered a much larger area than it does today. Russia, Spain, Great Britain, and the United States all claimed parts of the region. Oregon's present boundaries were drawn in 1853.
During World War II (1939-1945), Oregon became a major port for shipping military supplies. The state experienced difficult economic conditions during the 1980's, caused largely by a decline in the wood products industry. A decline in the timber supply and increased automation resulted in widespread unemployment.
Bird:
The Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) was chosen state bird in 1927 by Oregon's school children in a poll sponsored by the Oregon Audobon Society. Native throughout western North America, the bird has brown plumage with buff and black markings. Its underside is bright yellow with a black crescent on the breast; its outer tail feathers are mainly white and are easily visible when it flies. The Western Meadowlark is known for its distinctive and beautiful song.
Economy:
Agriculture: Cattle, vegetables, nursery stock, fruits and nuts, dairy products, wheat.
Industry: Lumber and wood products, tourism, food processing, paper products, machinery, scientific instruments.
Flower:
A low growing plant, the Oregon Grape is native to much of the Pacific Coast and found sparsely east of the Cascades. Its year-round foliage of pinnated, waxy green leaves resembles holly. The plant bears dainty yellow flowers in early summer and a dark blue berry that ripens late in the fall. The fruit can be used in cooking.
Motto:
"She Flies With Her Own Wings" was adopted by the 1987 Legislature as the state motto. The phrase originated with Judge Jessie Quinn Thornton and was pictured on the territorial seal in Latin: Alis Volat Propiis. The new motto replaces "The Union," which was adopted in 1957.
Origin of state's name:
Historians say Oregon was most likely named after one of two rivers. The Columbia River, which forms a coastline along the northern border, was at one time called the Oregon or Ouragan, which is French for hurricane. Others believe the name was derived from a mapmaker's error in the 1700s. The Wisconsin River was named the Ouisconsink and was picked up by travelers referring to the country west of the Great Lakes as Ourigan.
Seal:
The state seal consists of an escutcheon, or shield, supported by 33 stars and divided by an ordinary, or ribbon, with the inscription "The Union." Above the ordinary are the mountains and forests of Oregon, an elk with branching antlers, a covered wagon and ox team, the Pacific Ocean with setting sun, a departing British man-of-war signifying the departure of British influence in the region and an arriving American merchant ship signifying the rise of American power. Below the ordinary is a quartering with a sheaf of wheat, plow and pickax, which represent Oregon's mining and agricultural resources. The crest is the American Eagle. Around the perimeter of the seal is the legend "State of Oregon 1859."
A resolution adopted by the Constitutional Convention in session on September 17, 1857, authorized the president to appoint a committee of three--Benjamin F. Burch, L.F. Grover and James K. Kelly--to report on a proper device for the seal of the state of Oregon. Harvey Gordon created a draft, to which the committee recommended certain additions that are all incorporated in the state seal.
Tree:
The Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), named for David Douglas, a 19th century Scottish botanist, was designated state tree in 1939. Great strength, stiffness and moderate weight make it an invaluable timber product said to be stronger than concrete. Averaging up to 200' in height and six feet in diameter, heights of 325' and diameters of 15' also can be found.