State
Bird
Chickadee
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The
Black-Capped Chickadees is found in forests and on farmland in the
northern half of the United States. It is also known as the Black-cap
Titmouse. It is a black and white bird that is about five inches tall.
It is very hardy, smart, and restless. It can hold seeds with its
feet to crack open the shells of seeds. It also eats insects and berries.
The song of this bird sounds like a whistle. The black-Capped chickadee
was adopted as the Massachusetts state bird in 1941.
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State
Flower
Mayflower
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The
Mayflower is also called Trailing Arbutus. It grows along the ground
in sunny clearings in the woods of eastern North America. It has
tiny pink and white flowers that are only 1/3 of an inch wide. They
can bloom from March to July and have a wonderful fragrance. The
Mayflower was adopted as the Massachusetts state flower in 1918.
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State
Tree
American Elm
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The
American elm tree grows in the eastern half of the United States.
It is a beautiful shade tree that grows to about 100 feet tall. It
has a trunk that can be six to eleven inches in diameter and produces
oval shaped leaves. The Iroquois Indians used the bark for making
canoes, rope, utensils, and roofing for their homes. People use the
wood today to make baskets, barrels, furniture, and flooring because
it bends easily. The American elm was adopted as the Massachusetts
state tree in 1941. Unfortunately, the American elm tree is being
threatened by the Dutch elm disease, which is a fungus disease.
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State Flag
Click
on flag to view
larger image.
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The
state flag of Massachusetts has a white background with a blue shield
in the center. The design comes from the state seal of Massachusetts.
In the center of the shield there is an Indian. The Indian is from
the Native American tribe, the Massachuset. That's how Massachusetts
got its name. The Massachuset tribe lived by the Blue Hills, which
is now known as Boston. The Indian is holding a bow in his right hand.
In his left hand is an arrow. They are both pointing to the ground
as a symbol of peace. The white star symbolizes Massachusetts as being
one of the thirteen colonies, the sixth
to join the union. It became a state in 1788. Around the shield is
a blue ribbon. On the ribbon are the words "Ense Petit Placidum Svb
Liberate Qvietem." They are Latin words that mean "by the sword we
seek peace, but peace only under liberty." This is the Massachusetts
state motto. The motto comes from a
poem by Algernon Sidney written in the 17th century. The arm holding
a sword that is above the shield is a symbol of the motto. It reminds
people that the people of Massachusetts were willing to fight for
peace and freedom. In 1908 the Massachusetts flag had two designs,
one on the front and one on the back. The law was changed in 1971,
and the flag now only has one design. The Massachusetts flag was adopted
in 1971.
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