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List of Delaware state symbols

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In the state of Delaware, numerous symbols have been approved by the Delaware General Assembly and added to the Delaware Code.

Location of the state of Delaware in the United States of America

Insignia

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Further information: List of U.S. state, district, and territorial insignia
Type Symbol Description Year Image Source
Flag The flag of Delaware Consists of a buff-colored diamond on a field of colonial blue, with the coat of arms of the state of Delaware inside the diamond. Below the diamond, the date December 7, 1787, declares the day on which Delaware became the first state to ratify the United States Constitution. The colors of the flag reflect the colors of the uniform of General George Washington. 1913   [1]
Seal The great seal of the state of Delaware First adopted in 1777, with the current version being adopted in 2004. It contains the state coat of arms surrounded by the inscription "Great Seal of the State of Delaware" and the dates 1704, 1776 and 1787. 1777   [2]
Motto "Liberty and Independence" Derived from the Order of Cincinnati 1847 —
Nicknames The First State Adopted to commemorate Delaware becoming the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. 2002   [3]
The Diamond State This nickname comes from the legend that Thomas Jefferson described Delaware as a jewel among states due to its strategic location on the Eastern Seaboard. —
Blue Hen State This nickname comes from the fighting Blue Hen cocks that were carried with soldiers for entertainment during the Revolutionary War.  
Small Wonder This nickname comes from substantial contributions Delaware has made as compared to its relatively small size. —
The Last State Some residents of states that were also formerly part of the 13 original colonies have given this name to Delaware as a parody or insult to its classic nickname "The First State". Adopted to commemorate Delaware becoming among the last of the 13 original states to ratify the Articles of Confederation. —

Species

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Type Symbol Description Year Image Source
Fruit Strawberry 2010
 
 [4]
Bird Delaware Blue Hen The Blue Hen has been used as many political campaigns and publications. 1939
 
Delaware Blue Hen cock
 [5]
Insect Lady bug Officially adopted at the suggestion of Mollie Brown-Rust's second grade class at the Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford, Delaware. 1974
 
 [6]
Tree American holly
Ilex opaca 		Regarded as one of Delaware's most important forest trees 1939
 
 [6]
Flower Peach blossom Officially adopted in recognition of peach tree orchards yielding thousands of dollars worth of crop worth at that time. 1895
 
 [6]
Fish Weakfish
Cynoscion 		Officially adopted in recognition of its values as a game and food fish. 1981
 
 [6]
Herb Sweet goldenrod
Solidago odora 		Officially adopted indigenous to the state, commonly found in coastal areas and along the edges of marshes and thickets 1996
 
 [7]
Butterfly Eastern tiger swallowtail
Pterourus glaucus 		Officially adopted as indigenous to Delaware and commonly found in deciduous woods, along streams, rivers, and wooded swamps, and in towns and cities throughout Delaware. They were chosen based on a statewide vote of public and parochial students, out of suggestions from students of the Richardson Park Learning Center. 1999
 
 [8]
Marine animal Horseshoe crab
Limulus polyphemus 		Officially adopted in recognition of its importance and value in the medical field and as the principal food source for more than a million shore birds. 2002
 
 [6]
Macroinvertebrate Stonefly
(order Plecoptera) 		Officially adopted in recognition of the importance of excellent water quality and the vital role played by healthy aquatic ecosystems. It was supported by Gunning-Bedford Middle School, Salesianum High School, Delcastle Technical High School, Dickinson High School Environmental Club, The Independence School, Springer Middle School, St. Andrews School, and The Charter School of Wilmington. 2005
 
 [6]
Wildlife animal Grey fox[a]
Urocyon cinereoargenteus 		2010
 
 [6]

Geology

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Type Symbol Description Year Image Source
Mineral Sillimanite Recognized by geologists in Delaware prior to 1830, is widespread throughout the schists of the Delaware Piedmont, and occurs as large masses and stream-rounded boulders at the Brandywine Springs State Park
 
 [6]
Fossil Belemnite Officially adopted at the suggestion of Kathy Tidball's third grade Quest students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Wilmington, Delaware. The fossil, an extinct squid with a conical shell, is commonly found along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. 1996
 
 [9]
Soil Greenwich loam Commonly found in all counties in Delaware and enhancing water quality, agriculture, wildlife habitat, and natural landscape beauty 2000 [6]

Culture

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Type Symbol Description Year Image Source
Song "Our Delaware"
by George Beswick Hynson 		The song comprises three verses, each honoring one of Delaware's three counties, with the fourth verse added by Donn Devine commemorating the American Revolution Bicentennial in 1976.[10] The musical score was composed by Will M. S. Brown specifically for the poem. 1925 — [11][12]
Colors Colonial blue and buff    
Dessert Peach pie 2009
 
 [13]
Beverage Milk 1983
 
 [14]
Star TYC 3429-697-1 The star in the Ursa Major constellation was officially adopted after it was nicknamed "The Delaware Diamond". Despite being the official state star, its name is not recognized by astronomical community, because it was named by the private company International Star Registry. 2000 [15]
Tall ship Kalmar Nyckel Serves "as Delaware's seagoing ambassador both at home and at many ports of call, raising awareness of the First State for thousands who see her and come on board". 2016
 
 [16]

Other

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Delaware state code specifies the British spelling "grey".

References

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  1. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 306
  2. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 301
  3. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 318
  4. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 322
  5. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 304
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Delaware Code Online". delcode.delaware.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-01-15. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  7. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 313
  8. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 315
  9. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 314
  10. ^ Bies, Jessica (May 14, 2019). "Donn Devine, lawyer, civil rights marcher, city planner, co-writer of state song, dies at 90". The News Journal. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 303
  12. ^ Moose, Katie (2004). Uniquely Delaware. Capstone Classroom pp. 14-15. ISBN 978-1-4034-4713-5.
  13. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 321
  14. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 § 312
  15. ^ Bittle, Mark (December 24, 2017). "Delaware Diamond shines as state's official star". Delaware State News. Archived from the original on 2019-08-23. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  16. ^ "Delaware Online: Kalmar Nyckel becomes official Tall Ship of Delaware". September 9, 2016. Archived from the original on 2023-01-30. Retrieved 2016-09-09.
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