Map of the United States, highlighting Maine

This is a list of Maine state symbols in the United States.[1] The symbols were recognized and signed into law by the Maine Legislature and governor of Maine and are officially listed in the Maine Laws in article 1, chapter 9.[2]

The oldest symbols, the state flag and the state seal, were adopted in 1820,[3] and the most recent additions to the list were, the state song of the 21st century, My Sweet Maine in 2021[4] and the state butterfly, the pink-edged sulphur in 2023.[5]

State symbols

The Maine state tree, Eastern white pine
The Maine state bird, the Black-capped chickadee
The Maine state crustacean, the American lobster
State symbols table
Symbol Name Taxonomy Adopted Ref
State animal Moose Alces alces
1979
[6]
State ballad The Ballad of the 20th Mainenote
2019
[4]
State berry Blueberry Accinium angustifolium
1991
[7]
State beverage Moxie
2005
[8]
State bird Black-capped chickadee Poecile atricapillus
1927
[9]
State butterfly Pink-edged sulphur Colias interior
2023
[5]
State cat Maine Coon
1985
[10]
State crustacean American Lobster Homarus americanus
2016
[11]
State dessert Blueberry pie
2011
[12]
State fish Landlocked Atlantic salmon Salmo salar
1969
[13]
State flag Flag of Maine
1901
[3]
State flower White Pine Cone and Tassel Pinus strobus (Linnaeus)
1895
[14]
State fossil Pertica quadrifaria Pertica quadrifaria
1985
[15]
State gemstone Tourmaline Ditrigonal pyramidal
1971
[16]
State Herb Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens
1999
[17]
State insect Honey bee Apis mellifera
1975
[18]
State motto Dirigo (I lead)
1820
[3]
State Nickname The Pine Tree State
1860
[19]
State seal Seal of Maine
1820
[3]
State soil Chesuncook
1999
[20]
State song The Maine songnote
1937
[21]
State song of 21st century My Sweet Mainenote
2021
[22]
State treat Whoopie pie
2011
[23]
State sweetener Maine Maple syrup
2015
[24]
State tree Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus
1945
[25]
State sailing vessel Bowdoin
1986
[26]

See also

Notes

a.^ Written by Griffin Sherry of The Ghost of Paul Revere
b.^ Written by Roger Vinton Snow
c.^ Written by Terry Swett

References

  1. ^ "State Symbols". maine.gov. Secretary of State of Maine. 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "Title 1, Chapter 9: Seal, Motto, Emblems and Flags". legislature.maine.gov. Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Smith, Whitney (January 26, 2001). "Flag of Maine". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Nee, Liam (June 7, 2019). "Ballad of the 20th Maine' now the official state ballad". Portland, Maine: WCSH. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Grahamstaff, Gillian (May 29, 2023). "Maine now has a state butterfly thanks to 2 inquisitive fifth graders". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  6. ^ "What is the State Animal of Maine?". readnational.com. Read National. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  7. ^ "Maine State Berry". statesymbolsusa.org. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  8. ^ Simon, Scott (February 12, 2022). "Maine's beloved official drink, Moxie, is the latest casualty in supply chain issues". NPR. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  9. ^ Atkins, Clinton (July 1, 2023). "What is the State Bird of Maine? – 4 Facts About Them". thayerbirding.com. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  10. ^ "Maine Coon Cats". Down East. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  11. ^ "Maine State Crustacean". statesymbolsusa.org. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  12. ^ "State Dessert – Blueberry Pie". maine.gov. Secretary of State of Maine. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  13. ^ "Landlocked Salmon". statesymbolsusa.org. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  14. ^ "Maine State Flower (Floral Emblem)". ereferencedesk.com. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  15. ^ "Maine State Fossil – Pertica Quadrifaria". fossilera.com. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  16. ^ "Tourmaline". statesymbolsusa.org. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  17. ^ "Wintergreen/Teaberry/Checkerberry". friendsofrachelcarsonnwr.org. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  18. ^ "Maine Facts". senate.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  19. ^ Kiffel-Alcheh, Jamie. "Maine". Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Kids. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  20. ^ Butler, Nicholas; Fernandez, Ivan; Hodgman, Lindsay; Johanson, Jamin; Turcotte, David. "Chesuncook Maine State Soil" (PDF). soils4teachers.org. Soil Science Society of America. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  21. ^ Mecomber, Rebecca (June 25, 2023). "What Is the State Song of Maine?". unitedstatesnow.org. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  22. ^ "Maine State 21st Century Song". legislature.maine.gov. Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  23. ^ "Who Invented Whoopie Pies – Maine's Official Treat". lobsterAnywhere.com. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  24. ^ "Maine State Sweetener". legislature.maine.gov. Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  25. ^ "Maine State Tree". netstate.com. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  26. ^ "Bowdoin". sailtraininginternational.org. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
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