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Copyright 2001. The Lazy 'C' - All rights reserved.
history
In 1861, the Virginia State Convention passed an ordinance establishing a design virtually identical to that in current use. This flag has a deep blue field with a circular white centre. The obverse of the great seal of the Commonwealth has been identically painted or embroidered on each side of the flag. A white silk fringe adorns the edge farthest from the flag staff.
In 1954, the General Assembly adopted an official salute to the flag of Virginia which states:
"I salute the flag of Virginia, with reverence and patriotic devotion to the ‘Mother of States and Statesmen,’ which it represents—the ‘Old Dominion,’ where liberty and independence were born."
In 1954, the General Assembly adopted an official salute to the flag of Virginia which states:
"I salute the flag of Virginia, with reverence and patriotic devotion to the ‘Mother of States and Statesmen,’ which it represents—the ‘Old Dominion,’ where liberty and independence were born."
Nickname: The Old Dominion State.
Capital: Richmond.
Constitution: The 10th State.
Statehood: June 25th 1788.
Motto: Sic Semper Tyrannis - Thus Always to Tyrants
History:
When English colonists settled at Jamestown in 1607, Indian tribes of Algonquian, Siouan, and Iroquoian language groups lived in the Virginia region. America's first representative legislature was formed in Jamestown in 1619.
Virginia's leaders played important roles in America's struggle for independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. James Madison and other Virginians led in creating the U.S. Constitution. George Washington became the first U.S. president.
In 1831, Nat Turner, a black slave and preacher from Southampton County, led a famous slave rebellion.
Virginia seceded (withdrew) from the United States on April 17, 1861. Robert E. Lee, a Virginian, was the outstanding military leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Many westerners in Virginia opposed secession. In 1863, 48 counties of northwestern Virginia became the state of West Virginia.
During the 1950's, some state schools in Virginia resisted federal orders to integrate. Following a growth of industry and pollution in the 1970's, efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay began during the 1980's.
Bird:
In 1950, the General Assembly chose the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) as the state bird because of its bright plumage and cheerful song. In eighteenth-century England, the cardinal was called "the Virginia nightingale." The cardinal is part of the finch family.
Economy:
Agriculture: Cattle, poultry, dairy products, tobacco, hogs, soybeans.
Industry: Transportation equipment, textiles, food processing, printing, electric equipment, chemicals.
Flower:
In 1918, the state floral emblem commonly known as the American dogwood (Cornus florida) was adopted. It was selected to foster a feeling of pride in our state and to stimulate an interest in the history and traditions of the Commonwealth.
Origin of state's name:
Named for England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I.
Seal:
The great seal of the Commonwealth was adopted by the Virginia's Constitutional Convention on July 5, 1776. Its design was the work of a committee composed of George Mason, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, and Robert Carter Nicholas. George Wythe was probably the principal designer, taking its theme from ancient Roman mythology.
The original design was never properly cast and a number of variations came into use. Attempting to legislate uniformity, the General Assemblies of 1873 and 1903 passed acts describing the seal in detail. In 1930, a committee was named to prepare an "accurate and faithful description of the great seal of the Commonwealth, as it was intended to be by Mason and Wythe and their associates." The committee set forth the official design in use today, which is essentially the design adopted by the Virginia's Constitutional Convention of 1776.
The obverse side of the great seal depicts the Roman goddess Virtus representing the spirit of the Commonwealth. She is dressed as an Amazon, a sheathed sword in one hand, and a spear in the other, and one foot on the form of Tyranny, who is pictured with a broken chain in his left hand, a scourge in his right, and his fallen crown nearby, implying struggle that has ended in complete victory. Virginia’s motto, Sic Semper Tyrannis (Latin for "Thus Always to Tyrants"), appears at the bottom.
On the reverse side of the seal are the three Roman goddesses, Libertas (Liberty) in the center holding a wand and pileus in her right hand, Aerternitas (Eternity) with a globe and phoenix in her right hand, and Ceres (Fruitfulness) with a cornucopia in her left hand and an ear of wheat in her right. At the top is the word Perservando (Latin for "by Persevering"). A border of Virginia creeper encircles the designs on each side.
Official colours were established by the Art Commission in 1949 and a water colour, the only official model for flag makers and stationers, hangs in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The Secretary of the Commonwealth is designated by the Code of Virginia as the keeper of the great seal. The great seal of the Commonwealth is affixed to documents signed by the governor and intended for use before tribunals and for purposes outside the jurisdiction of Virginia.
Tree:
In 1956, the state adopted the American dogwood as the official tree. The dogwood is well distributed throughout the Commonwealth, and its beauty is symbolic of the many attractive features of Virginia. The dogwood blooms in early spring and its blossom is a tiny cluster of flowers surrounded by four white leaves.
When English colonists settled at Jamestown in 1607, Indian tribes of Algonquian, Siouan, and Iroquoian language groups lived in the Virginia region. America's first representative legislature was formed in Jamestown in 1619.
Virginia's leaders played important roles in America's struggle for independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. James Madison and other Virginians led in creating the U.S. Constitution. George Washington became the first U.S. president.
In 1831, Nat Turner, a black slave and preacher from Southampton County, led a famous slave rebellion.
Virginia seceded (withdrew) from the United States on April 17, 1861. Robert E. Lee, a Virginian, was the outstanding military leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Many westerners in Virginia opposed secession. In 1863, 48 counties of northwestern Virginia became the state of West Virginia.
During the 1950's, some state schools in Virginia resisted federal orders to integrate. Following a growth of industry and pollution in the 1970's, efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay began during the 1980's.
Bird:
In 1950, the General Assembly chose the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) as the state bird because of its bright plumage and cheerful song. In eighteenth-century England, the cardinal was called "the Virginia nightingale." The cardinal is part of the finch family.
Economy:
Agriculture: Cattle, poultry, dairy products, tobacco, hogs, soybeans.
Industry: Transportation equipment, textiles, food processing, printing, electric equipment, chemicals.
Flower:
In 1918, the state floral emblem commonly known as the American dogwood (Cornus florida) was adopted. It was selected to foster a feeling of pride in our state and to stimulate an interest in the history and traditions of the Commonwealth.
Origin of state's name:
Named for England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I.
Seal:
The great seal of the Commonwealth was adopted by the Virginia's Constitutional Convention on July 5, 1776. Its design was the work of a committee composed of George Mason, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, and Robert Carter Nicholas. George Wythe was probably the principal designer, taking its theme from ancient Roman mythology.
The original design was never properly cast and a number of variations came into use. Attempting to legislate uniformity, the General Assemblies of 1873 and 1903 passed acts describing the seal in detail. In 1930, a committee was named to prepare an "accurate and faithful description of the great seal of the Commonwealth, as it was intended to be by Mason and Wythe and their associates." The committee set forth the official design in use today, which is essentially the design adopted by the Virginia's Constitutional Convention of 1776.
The obverse side of the great seal depicts the Roman goddess Virtus representing the spirit of the Commonwealth. She is dressed as an Amazon, a sheathed sword in one hand, and a spear in the other, and one foot on the form of Tyranny, who is pictured with a broken chain in his left hand, a scourge in his right, and his fallen crown nearby, implying struggle that has ended in complete victory. Virginia’s motto, Sic Semper Tyrannis (Latin for "Thus Always to Tyrants"), appears at the bottom.
On the reverse side of the seal are the three Roman goddesses, Libertas (Liberty) in the center holding a wand and pileus in her right hand, Aerternitas (Eternity) with a globe and phoenix in her right hand, and Ceres (Fruitfulness) with a cornucopia in her left hand and an ear of wheat in her right. At the top is the word Perservando (Latin for "by Persevering"). A border of Virginia creeper encircles the designs on each side.
Official colours were established by the Art Commission in 1949 and a water colour, the only official model for flag makers and stationers, hangs in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The Secretary of the Commonwealth is designated by the Code of Virginia as the keeper of the great seal. The great seal of the Commonwealth is affixed to documents signed by the governor and intended for use before tribunals and for purposes outside the jurisdiction of Virginia.
Tree:
In 1956, the state adopted the American dogwood as the official tree. The dogwood is well distributed throughout the Commonwealth, and its beauty is symbolic of the many attractive features of Virginia. The dogwood blooms in early spring and its blossom is a tiny cluster of flowers surrounded by four white leaves.