Did you ever wonder how our states got their nicknames?

 

By David McClelland

 

Most states adopt nicknames because they help in establishing a state's identity, promote statewide pride and create unity. Nicknames are even believed to have economic value.

 

Michigan, as you know, is called "The Great Lakes State," since Michigan has four of the five Great Lakes on its borders: Lakes Michigan, Superior, Huron and Erie. Only Lake Ontario is beyond Michigan's borders. This nickname fits Michigan.

 

Here are some other state nicknames of which I was unaware. See how many that you know and if you know why these nicknames were chosen:

 

Alabama – "The Yellowhammer State"

Yellowhammer is a yellow-shafted flicker with yellow underside to its wings and tail.

-       During the Civil War, the Confederate soldiers from Alabama got new uniforms with bright yellow cloth on the sleeves, collars and coattails. As this company of soldiers passed by, young Will Arnett cried out in greeting, "Yellowhammer, Yellowhammer, flicker, flicker!" and the name stuck and became the nickname.

 

Arkansas – "The Natural State"

-       This nickname was just adopted in 1995 and is intended to refer to the state's natural beauty with its unsurpassed scenery, clear lakes, rivers and wildlife.

 

Idaho – "The Gem State"

      -     Idaho is a Shoshone Indian word meaning Gem of the Mountains.

 

Maryland – "The Old Line State"

-       George Washington bestowed this nickname on Maryland for its "line" of  regular Revolutionary War troops who served so courageously.

 

Montana – "The Treasure State"

-       Montana, with its extensive mineral reserves of gold, silver and copper, got the state this nickname in the 1850's.

 

Utah –  "The Beehive State"

-       The Beehive is the Mormon symbol of the virtues of thrift and perseverance.

The Beehive became the state emblem in 1969 and is on the Utah state flag.

 

Wyoming – "The Equality State"

-       Wyoming was the first state to grant the right to vote to women in 1869.

 

Were you as uninformed about the above state nicknames as I was?