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American Symbols Commemorative Edition

by Debbie Sennett

131 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #02-0132; ISBN 1-55369-319-1; US$18.50, C$23.95, EUR15.60, £10.80

A special commemorative Civics and History reference book. Contains current information about state symbols for each of the 50 states, history and interesting facts and trivia about each state.

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about the book      about the author      excerpts and Table of Contents      catalogue info

About the Book     Since the terrorist attack of September 11th America has been filled with clouds of evil. They have darkened our reason and covered us with ashes of anger. How do we sort out our feelings of revenge and retaliation with those of understanding, compassion and love? Some of us believe knowledge of American history will give us the insight and maturity that we need to help our nation through this war on terrorism.     American citizens need to understand the basic principles of democracy and freedom because they must know what we fight for. Americans need to rededicate themselves to the cause of freedom to face the future. Freedom should not be taken for granted because there are those who would take it from us.     People need to understand that some governments terrorize and abuse their people. These governments intentionally control their people by keeping them oppressed and ignorant.     The history of our country is great but as Thomas Jefferson warned: "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be". A recent alarming ACTA report which polled seniors at the nation's top 55 colleges indicates that we have a generation of Americans who are historically illiterate. The survey revealed that almost half would fail the basic test in American history required for immigrants who seek citizenship in the United States.     American Symbols Commemorative Edition has the common information about the different state flowers, birds and trees as well as information about the many new symbols which the states have enacted which includes their scientific names and dates of inception it also includes the active and colorful history of each state and interesting facts and trivia about the states.

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About the Author     Debbie Sennett retired from the State of Alabama where she was a state forensic chemist. As a forensic chemist Ms. Sennett spent much of her time analyzing data and writing technical reports for attorneys and the court systems. She also testified as an expert witness as part of her job. Ms. Sennetts knowledge of both scientific terminology and the legal system through past work experience was of great benefit to her in writing American Symbols Commemorative Edition. Ms. Sennett has taken great care in compiling the information in this book to insure its value to you in your personal, community or school library.     Since Ms. Sennetts retirement she has been published by the International Library of Poetry in The Lightness of Being, Poetry's Elite- The Best Poets of 2000, and The Best Poems and Poets of 2001. In 2001 Ms. Sennett was presented the Editors Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry by the International Library of Poetry and nominated for Poet of the Year 2001. Her next book may be a poetry anthology featuring a collection of her poetic works.

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Excerpts and Table of Contents

Introduction

    American Symbols Commemorative Edition has the common information about the different state flowers, birds and trees as well as information about the many new symbols which the states have enacted including their dates of inception and scientific names. It is however important to note that since our laws are constantly being created, revised and debated, there may seem to be discrepancies in some of the symbols inception dates. Also, it is important to note that since their inception, some of the symbols have had their scientific names changed by the scientific community. Please do keep in mind that it is not uncommon for a symbol to have several inception dates and more than one correct scientific name. Should you require additional information to avoid confusion it may be necessary to check with the individual state for any current legislation and with the scientific community for any recent name changes.
    To commemorate the year 2000 American Symbols Commemorative Edition also includes the active and colorful history of each of the states and interesting facts and trivia about each of the states. As author of this keepsake edition I have taken great care in compiling the information in this book to insure its value to you in your library. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading American Symbols Commemorative Edition as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Debbie Sennett

CONTENTS

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Historical Events (1900 - 2000)
National Parks
United States Map
Places of Interest
Tourist Information
Important Numbers

Alabama

Alabama: In the Creek Indian language Alabama means tribal town.
Capital: Montgomery
Flower: Red camellia or any camellia (Camellia) 1959
Wildflower: Oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) 1999
Tree: Southern longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) 1997
Bird: Yellowhammer (Colaptes auratus) 1927
Game Bird: Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 1980
Nickname: The Heart of Dixie, The Camellia State or The Cotton State
Rank: 22 (December 14, 1819)
Motto: Audermus jura nostra defendere (We dare defend our rights) 1939
Creed: Alabama Creed 1953
Song: Alabama by Julia S. Tutwiler and Edna Gockel Gussen 1933
Folk Dance: Square dance 1981
Gemstone: Star blue quartz 1990
Mineral: Red iron ore (Hematite) 1967
Rock: Marble 1969
Shell: Johnstone's junonia (Scaphella junonia johnstoneae) 1990
Fossil: Archaeocete whale (Basilosaurus cetoides), Eocene 1984
Soil: Bama soil series 1997
Horse: Racking horse (Equus caballus) 1975
Insect: Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) 1989
Mascot: Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly (Pterourus glaucus) 1989
Reptile: Red bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) 1990
Amphibian: Red hills salamander (Phaeognathus hubrichti), endangered 2000
Freshwater Fish: Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) 1975
Saltwater Fish: Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) 1955
Nut: Pecan (Carya illinoensis) 1982
Bible: Alabama State Bible 1853
Quilt: Pine burr quilt 1997
Championship: Alabama Championship Horse Show 1988
Horseshoe Tournament: Stockton Fall Horseshoe Tournament 1992
Agricultural Museum: Dothan Landmark Park 1992
Barbeque Championship: Demopolis Christmas on the River 1991
Historic Theater: Alabama Theater for the Performing Arts 1993
Outdoor Drama: The Miracle Worker by William Gibson 1991
Outdoor Musical Drama: The Incident at Looney's Tavern 1993
Renaissance Faire: Florence Renaissance Faire 1988
Colors: Red and white
Poets Laureate: Alabama State Poets Laureate 1930
Coat of Arms: Alabama Coat of Arms

HISTORY

In 6000 B. C. Russell Cave was inhabited by humans.
Hernando de Soto fought with the Tuscaloosa Indians in 1540.
The French made the first permanent settlement of Alabama on Mobile Bay in 1702.
Britain ceded the region to the United States after the War for Independence with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
The United States was ceded land by the Chickasaws, Choctaws and Cherokees in 1805.
Creek Indians were defeated by General Andrew Jackson in 1814 at the battle of Horseshoe Bend. The Creeks were relocated to Oklahoma.
The state of Alabama was organized as a territory in 1817.
In 1853 the executive department purchased the State Bible. The State Bible is used for the inauguration of Alabama governors.
On January 11, 1861 Alabama seceded from the Union.
Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as President of the provisional government of the Confederate States of America in 1861.
Admiral David Farragut issued the famous command "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead," at the battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864.
In 1868 Alabama was readmitted to the Union.
Tuskegee Institute was founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington.
In 1955 there was a bus boycott in Montgomery.
Black freedom advocates marched from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

FACTS AND TRIVIA

The rural economy of growing cotton had to be diversified in 1915 because of the boll weevil. This destructive insect caused farmers to grow crops other than cotton. There is a boll weevil monument in Enterprise.
Russell Cave National Monument near Bridgeport preserves a shelter built by prehistoric Indians. A prehistoric skeleton was found in the cave.
Jefferson Davis memorabilia is exhibited in Montgomery.
Mobile is host to the annual America's Junior Miss contest. The contest began in 1958.
The Rocket Capital of the World is in Huntsville. The first rocket that put man on the moon was built in Alabama.
A 60 ton statue of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire, overlooks Birmingham.
The Confederate States of America was born in Montgomery. In 1861 the Confederate flag was designed and first flown in Alabama.
In Fort Payne the musical singing group Alabama has a Museum.
Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile has year round displays of flowers.
The Hall of History in Bessemer exhibits the typewriter Hitler used at his mountain retreat.
Mardi Gras was first introduced in Mobile, Alabama. The day before Lent, which is called Shrove or Fat Tuesday is Mardi Gras Day.

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Catalogue Information

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