State Bird:
The bluebird was adopted as the State bird in 1970. The bluebird is one of the first birds to return North each spring.
State Flower:
The rose was adopted as the State flower in 1955. Roses are soft, fragrant flowers with thorny stems. They grow in bushes and are seen in many gardens
State Fruit:
The apple was adopted as the State fruit in 1976. Apples are sweet and crisp. They come in many varieties, such as Golden Delicious, McIntosh and Winesap.
State Animal:
Beavers build dams across streams by packing mud with their long, flat tails. The beaver was adopted as the State animal in 1975.
State Tree:
The sugar maple is our main source of maple syrup made from sap stored in its trunk. Its leaves are pointed and turn bright colors in the fall. The sugar maple was adopted as the State tree in 1956
State Fish:
The trout was adopted as the State fish in 1975. Trout are silvery-brown or rainbow-colored fish that live in freshwater brooks, lakes and streams.
State Gem:
The garnet was adopted as the State gem in 1969. Garnets are used in jewelry and are a dark red color.
State Seal:
New York has long been known as The Empire State. There's even a famous building in New York City that carries the name. The precise origin of the name probably cannot be determined with certainty. Some sources place the origin with George Washington, who referred to the state in December 1784 as "at present the seat of the Empire."
The Great Seal of the State of New York consists of those words surrounding the Arms of New York State. The current Seal was created in 1882, and is the fifth official version It differs from the original (created in 1777) in its complexity, and in the attention given to the state's claim to national and global significance, as well as the prominence of its interest in Liberty and Justice.
State Motto:
Excelsior, Ever Upward, is the New York state motto.
Did you know:
* The term "The Big Apple" was coined by touring jazz musicians of the 1930s who used the slang expression "apple" for any town or city. Therefore, to play New York City is to play the big time - THE BIG APPLE.
* New York was the first state to 1) preserve an historic site (Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh); 2) establish a state park (Niagara Reservation); and 3) declare land "forever wild" (the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves) in the State Constitution.
* The first railroad in America ran between Albany and Schenectady, a distance of 11 miles.
* New York is a world capital with headquarters of the United Nations in New York City.
* After the adoption of the Federal Constitution, New York City was chosen to be the nation's first capital and was the site of the inauguration of George Washington as President on April 30, 1789.
* New York has a state muffin! The Apple Muffin was created for the Bear Road Elementary School children in North Syracuse, who were instrumental in getting the Governor to sign a bill making it the official State muffin.
Picture of the Blue Bird:
http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=homeschooling&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fassembly.state.ny.us%2Fkids%2F%3Fbody%3Dcolorpic%26amp%3Bpic%3Dbird