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Copyright 2001. The Lazy 'C' - All rights reserved.
history
Asked by the Revolutionary Council of Safety in the fall of 1775 to design a flag for the use of South Carolina troops, Col. William Moultrie chose a blue which matched the colour of their uniforms and a crescent which reproduced the silver emblem worn on the front of their caps. The palmetto tree was added later to represent Moultrie's heroic defense of the palmetto-log fort on Sullivan's Island against the attack of the British fleet on June 28, 1776.
South Carolina needed a national flag after it seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860. The General Assembly considered a wide range of designs, but on January 28, 1861, added the palmetto to Moultrie's original design, thereby officially creating the flag as we know it today. A resolution proposing changing the colour to "royal purple" as a memorial to the Confederate dead was resoundingly defeated in 1899, leaving the flag's Revolutionary War symbolism intact.
Nickname: The Palmetto State.
Capital: Columbia.
Constitution: The 8th State.
Statehood: May 23rd 1788.
Motto: Animis opibusque parati, dum spiro spero - Prepared in mind and resources, While I breathe, I hope
History:
More than 30 Indian tribes lived in what is now South Carolina before white settlers arrived. During the 1500's, Spanish and French settlers tried unsuccessfully to establish colonies in the region. English colonists began to establish settlements there in 1670.
On Dec. 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede (withdraw) from the United States. The American Civil War (1861-1865) began at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbour. South Carolina was readmitted into the U.S.A. in 1868.
The mid-1900's brought great economic growth as the state shifted from a chiefly agricultural to a more industrial economy. A devastating hurricane, called Hugo, struck near Charleston on Sept. 21, 1989. It killed 18 people and damaged or destroyed about 80,000 homes.
Bird:
The Carolina Wren is a member of the family Troglodytidae. It is present in all areas in South Carolina from the coast to the highest mountain. The song; which may be interpreted as tea-ket-tle, tea-ket-tle, tea-ket-tle, tea-ket-tle; may be heard the year-round, day and night, in all kinds of weather.
The Carolina Wren is slightly smaller than an English Sparrow and has a conspicuous white stripe over the eyes. The back of its body is rufous-red with underparts somewhat lighter in colour. The tail, which is finely barred with black, is held erect when the bird is excited.
Note:
Prior to 1939 "The Carolina Wren" had been unofficially recognized as the State Bird of S. C. In 1939 the General Assembly passed an Act (No. 311) designating the Mockingbird as the official Bird of the State. Act No. 693, 1948 (1962 Civil Code, Sec. 28-2) was passed repealing the 1939 Act and designating the Carolina Wren as the official State Bird instead of the Mockingbird.
Industry:
Economy: Agriculture: Tobacco, poultry, cattle, dairy products, soybeans, hogs.
Industry: Textile goods, chemical products, paper products, machinery, tourism.
Flag:
By statute the flag shall be displayed "upon the inside of every public school building in this State so that all school children shall be instructed in proper respect for the flag," and daily except in rainy weather, from a staff upon the State House and from a staff upon each County Courthouse. The State Flag is also to be displayed in accordance with rules set by the State Superintendent of Education, on the grounds of educational institutions supported in whole or in part, by funds derived from the State. It is also prescribed that any person who mutilates, injures or desecrates the State Flag, wherever displayed, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both.
Flower:
Officially adopted by the General Assembly on February 1, 1924, for the following reasons: it is indigenous to every nook and corner of the State; it is the first premonitor of coming Spring; its fragrance greets us first in the woodland and its delicate flower suggests the pureness of gold; its perpetual return out of the dead Winter suggests the lesson of constancy in, loyalty to and patriotism in the service of the State.
"No flower that blooms holds such perfume, As kindness and sympathy won. Wherever there grows the sheltering pine Is clinging a Yellow Jessamine vine."
From "Legend of the Yellow Jessamine," by Mrs. Teresa Strickland of Anderson, S. C., when the flower was made the emblem of Dixie Chapter, U.D.C., about 1906.
The "Carolina or Yellow Jessamine" is defined by the New International Encyclopedia as "A climbing plant which grows upon trees and fences and bears a profusion of yellow, funnel-shaped flowers an inch in diameter, with a fragrance similar to that of the true Jasmine." Its odour on a damp evening or morning fills the atmosphere with a rare and delicate sweetness.
"As fair as Southern Chivalry As pure as truth, and shaped like stars "...
Seal:
On March 26, 1776, the Provincial Congress of South Carolina set up an independent government, electing John Rutledge, President. On April 2, 1776, the President and Privy Council were authorized by Resolution of the General Assembly to design and cause to be made a Great Seal of South Carolina.
After the Declaration of Independence, a design for the arms of an official great seal, prepared by William Henry Drayton, a member of the Privy Council, was accepted, together with a design for the reverse, said to have been designed by Arthur Middleton. Both designs were turned over to an engraver in Charles Town and engraved as a great seal, which was used by Pres. Rutledge for the first time on May 22, 1777.
The Seal was made in form of a circle, four inches in diameter, and four-tenths of an inch thick. Both the arms and reverse symbolize the battle fought on June 28, 1776, between the unnamed, and unfinished fort at Sullivan s Island (now Fort Moultrie), and the British Fleet.
Description of the Seal:
A Palmetto tree growing on the seashore erect (symbolical of the fort on Sullivans Island, built on Palmetto logs); at its base, a torn up oak tree, its branches lopped off, prostrate, typifying the British Fleet, constructed of oak timbers and defeated by the fort; both proper. Just below the branches of the Palmetto, two shields, pendant; one of them on the dexter side is inscribed MARCH 26, (the date of ratification of the Constitution of S. C.) the other on the sinister side JULY 4, (the date of Declaration of Independence): Twelve spears proper, are bound crosswise to the stem of the Palmetto, their points raised, (representing the 12 states first acceding to the Union); the band uniting them together bearing the inscription QUIS SEPARABIT (Who shall separate?) under the prostrate oak, is inscribed MELIOREM LAPSA LOCAVIT (having fallen it has set up a better); below which appears in large figures, 1776 (the year the Constitution of S. C. was passed, the year of the Battle at Sullivans Island and of the Declaration of Independence, and the year in which the Seal was ordered made). At the summit of the Exergue, are the words SOUTH CAROLINA; and at the bottom of the same ANIMIS OPIBUSQUE PARATI (prepared in mind and resources).
A woman walking on the seashore, over swords and daggers (typifying Hope overcoming dangers, which the sun, just rising, was about to disclose); she holds in her dexter hand, a laurel branch, (symbolical of the honors gained at Sullivan s Island), and in her sinister hand, the folds of her robe; she looks toward the sun, just rising above the sea, (indicating that the battle was fought on a fine day, and also bespeaking good fortune); all proper. On the upper part is the sky azure. At the summit of the Exergue, are the words DUM SPIRO SPERO (While I breathe I hope) and within the field below the figure, is inscribed the word SPES (Hope).
Tree:
Adopted as the "Official State Tree of the State of South Carolina" by Joint Resolution No. 63, approved March 17, 1939.
The South Carolina Palmetto is classified by the U. S. Department of Agriculture as "Inodes Palmetto (also called Sabal Palmetto) and commonly known as the Cabbage Palmetto." It has long been closely associated with the history of South Carolina, being represented on the State Flag as well as on the State Seal, where it is symbolical of the defeat of the British fleet by the fort, built of Palmetto logs, on Sullivan's Island.
The Palmetto is an attractive feature of the coastal areas of South Carolina and is also found in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. The large leafbud is highly prized as a salad vegetable for use in making pickles or relishes, and in Florida some use has been made of the fibres from the leaf bases. Such uses, however, are wasteful since the palm must be destroyed in either case and years must lapse before it can be replaced.
More than 30 Indian tribes lived in what is now South Carolina before white settlers arrived. During the 1500's, Spanish and French settlers tried unsuccessfully to establish colonies in the region. English colonists began to establish settlements there in 1670.
On Dec. 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede (withdraw) from the United States. The American Civil War (1861-1865) began at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbour. South Carolina was readmitted into the U.S.A. in 1868.
The mid-1900's brought great economic growth as the state shifted from a chiefly agricultural to a more industrial economy. A devastating hurricane, called Hugo, struck near Charleston on Sept. 21, 1989. It killed 18 people and damaged or destroyed about 80,000 homes.
Bird:
The Carolina Wren is a member of the family Troglodytidae. It is present in all areas in South Carolina from the coast to the highest mountain. The song; which may be interpreted as tea-ket-tle, tea-ket-tle, tea-ket-tle, tea-ket-tle; may be heard the year-round, day and night, in all kinds of weather.
The Carolina Wren is slightly smaller than an English Sparrow and has a conspicuous white stripe over the eyes. The back of its body is rufous-red with underparts somewhat lighter in colour. The tail, which is finely barred with black, is held erect when the bird is excited.
Note:
Prior to 1939 "The Carolina Wren" had been unofficially recognized as the State Bird of S. C. In 1939 the General Assembly passed an Act (No. 311) designating the Mockingbird as the official Bird of the State. Act No. 693, 1948 (1962 Civil Code, Sec. 28-2) was passed repealing the 1939 Act and designating the Carolina Wren as the official State Bird instead of the Mockingbird.
Industry:
Economy: Agriculture: Tobacco, poultry, cattle, dairy products, soybeans, hogs.
Industry: Textile goods, chemical products, paper products, machinery, tourism.
Flag:
By statute the flag shall be displayed "upon the inside of every public school building in this State so that all school children shall be instructed in proper respect for the flag," and daily except in rainy weather, from a staff upon the State House and from a staff upon each County Courthouse. The State Flag is also to be displayed in accordance with rules set by the State Superintendent of Education, on the grounds of educational institutions supported in whole or in part, by funds derived from the State. It is also prescribed that any person who mutilates, injures or desecrates the State Flag, wherever displayed, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both.
Flower:
Officially adopted by the General Assembly on February 1, 1924, for the following reasons: it is indigenous to every nook and corner of the State; it is the first premonitor of coming Spring; its fragrance greets us first in the woodland and its delicate flower suggests the pureness of gold; its perpetual return out of the dead Winter suggests the lesson of constancy in, loyalty to and patriotism in the service of the State.
"No flower that blooms holds such perfume, As kindness and sympathy won. Wherever there grows the sheltering pine Is clinging a Yellow Jessamine vine."
From "Legend of the Yellow Jessamine," by Mrs. Teresa Strickland of Anderson, S. C., when the flower was made the emblem of Dixie Chapter, U.D.C., about 1906.
The "Carolina or Yellow Jessamine" is defined by the New International Encyclopedia as "A climbing plant which grows upon trees and fences and bears a profusion of yellow, funnel-shaped flowers an inch in diameter, with a fragrance similar to that of the true Jasmine." Its odour on a damp evening or morning fills the atmosphere with a rare and delicate sweetness.
"As fair as Southern Chivalry As pure as truth, and shaped like stars "...
Seal:
On March 26, 1776, the Provincial Congress of South Carolina set up an independent government, electing John Rutledge, President. On April 2, 1776, the President and Privy Council were authorized by Resolution of the General Assembly to design and cause to be made a Great Seal of South Carolina.
After the Declaration of Independence, a design for the arms of an official great seal, prepared by William Henry Drayton, a member of the Privy Council, was accepted, together with a design for the reverse, said to have been designed by Arthur Middleton. Both designs were turned over to an engraver in Charles Town and engraved as a great seal, which was used by Pres. Rutledge for the first time on May 22, 1777.
The Seal was made in form of a circle, four inches in diameter, and four-tenths of an inch thick. Both the arms and reverse symbolize the battle fought on June 28, 1776, between the unnamed, and unfinished fort at Sullivan s Island (now Fort Moultrie), and the British Fleet.
Description of the Seal:
A Palmetto tree growing on the seashore erect (symbolical of the fort on Sullivans Island, built on Palmetto logs); at its base, a torn up oak tree, its branches lopped off, prostrate, typifying the British Fleet, constructed of oak timbers and defeated by the fort; both proper. Just below the branches of the Palmetto, two shields, pendant; one of them on the dexter side is inscribed MARCH 26, (the date of ratification of the Constitution of S. C.) the other on the sinister side JULY 4, (the date of Declaration of Independence): Twelve spears proper, are bound crosswise to the stem of the Palmetto, their points raised, (representing the 12 states first acceding to the Union); the band uniting them together bearing the inscription QUIS SEPARABIT (Who shall separate?) under the prostrate oak, is inscribed MELIOREM LAPSA LOCAVIT (having fallen it has set up a better); below which appears in large figures, 1776 (the year the Constitution of S. C. was passed, the year of the Battle at Sullivans Island and of the Declaration of Independence, and the year in which the Seal was ordered made). At the summit of the Exergue, are the words SOUTH CAROLINA; and at the bottom of the same ANIMIS OPIBUSQUE PARATI (prepared in mind and resources).
A woman walking on the seashore, over swords and daggers (typifying Hope overcoming dangers, which the sun, just rising, was about to disclose); she holds in her dexter hand, a laurel branch, (symbolical of the honors gained at Sullivan s Island), and in her sinister hand, the folds of her robe; she looks toward the sun, just rising above the sea, (indicating that the battle was fought on a fine day, and also bespeaking good fortune); all proper. On the upper part is the sky azure. At the summit of the Exergue, are the words DUM SPIRO SPERO (While I breathe I hope) and within the field below the figure, is inscribed the word SPES (Hope).
Tree:
Adopted as the "Official State Tree of the State of South Carolina" by Joint Resolution No. 63, approved March 17, 1939.
The South Carolina Palmetto is classified by the U. S. Department of Agriculture as "Inodes Palmetto (also called Sabal Palmetto) and commonly known as the Cabbage Palmetto." It has long been closely associated with the history of South Carolina, being represented on the State Flag as well as on the State Seal, where it is symbolical of the defeat of the British fleet by the fort, built of Palmetto logs, on Sullivan's Island.
The Palmetto is an attractive feature of the coastal areas of South Carolina and is also found in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. The large leafbud is highly prized as a salad vegetable for use in making pickles or relishes, and in Florida some use has been made of the fibres from the leaf bases. Such uses, however, are wasteful since the palm must be destroyed in either case and years must lapse before it can be replaced.