Fun Facts
I got nothing. No funny stories, no insightful quips or political diatribes so here are some worthless facts about Pennsylvania. I have no clue why these tidbits get stuck in my mind but they do and occasionally, like now, I regurgitate them.
Nickname: Keystone State
During colonial times Pennsylvania was the middle colony of the original 13 colonies (there are six states above it and six states below it). It held the colonies together like the “keystone” in a window or door arch.
Meaning of Pennsylvania: Penn’s Woods
Named after the father of Admiral William Penn.
Motto: Virtue, Liberty and Independence
Entered the Union: December 12, 1787
State Animal: Whitetail Deer
State Beverage: Milk
State Bird: Ruffed Grouse.
State Dog: Great Dane
State Fish: Brook Trout
State Flower: Mountain Laurel
State Fossil: Phacops Rana
A small water animal
State Insect: Firefly
State Ship: United States Brig Niagara
The restored Niagara serves as the Flagship of Pennsylvania. It was the flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and was decisive in defeating the British at the Battle of Lake Erie.
State Song: Pennsylvania
State Tree: Hemlock
Oh yeah, there are three towns in Lancaster county named, Blue Ball, Bird-In-Hand and Intercourse.
I actually read about those towns in a Bill Bryson book. Aren’t they home to Mennonites or some kind of religious sect?
There are lots of Amish and Mennonite in this area. South central PA was first populated by Germans so we have large Amish and Mennonite communities around here. A few years ago a friend of mine had some work done around his farm by some Amish guys and I helped out also. These guys were the nicest, happiest, most friendly people I’ve ever met. They spent all day working and joking and laughing and never once were we , “Englishers”, made to feel like we weren’t part of the crew. When we finished the work on the barn, Jonas, their boss, gave me my very own work hat. You know the straw hat you always see Amish guys wearing in the summer. Ha! I still wear it in the summer when I work in the yard.
Cool, so they’re not sullen and joyless as the media make them out to be.
Damn you … I want an Amish hat …
I didn’t realise that each state had an official breed of dog as well… No better one than a great dane either – does any of the states have a small dog as their offical dog??? Like a poodle:)?
State Fossil too??? Man who decides these things???
The Boykin Spaniel is my states dog. (South Carolina) It’s a small to mid-sized dog. Great post, Brian!