Arkansas first began to adopt its own official state symbols in 1901. Many more have been adopted since then, and a state symbol can come in the form of state animals, mammals, trees, fruits, vegetables, amphibians, nicknames, state seals, and much more.
State symbols were adopted by states to best represent them and their historical roots, and past and present successes. Like all other states, there are many Arkansas state symbols that epitomize the state.
What is the Arkansas State Bird?
The Arkansas state bird is the mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) and has been since 1929. The northern mockingbird has a very unique set of skills, they can sing up to 200 different songs, which include, other bird songs, insect noises, amphibian sounds, and even machinery and mechanical noises like cars and trucks, crazy, right?
Additionally, there are four other states that adopt the mockingbird as their official state bird, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi, which proves just how popular this bird is. They can be commonly found all across North America and have a current estimated population of over 45 million in the wild!
What is the State Flower of Arkansas?
Arkansas officially designated the apple blossom as the state flower back in 1901 due to the significance of apples within the state’s history. Arkansas used to be one of the biggest apple-producing states in the nation and the state still keeps its traditions by hosting the Arkansas apple festival each year in the town of Lincoln.
Most states will have their symbols showcase a relevant story, that is indicative of the state and its history, and the Land of Opportunity puts its history and what it stands for across very well in its state bird and flower. These interesting facts about Arkansas and a whole host of others are what make the state so unique and fascinating to those that live there, those that are planning to visit, or anyone researching the historical events of the state and what they symbolize.