INDIANA

State of Indiana

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: Named "land of Indians" for the many Indian tribes that formerly lived in the state. NICKNAME: The Hoosier State. CAPITAL: Indianapolis. ENTERED UNION: 11 December 1816 (19th). SONG: "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away." MOTTO: The Crossroads of America. FLAG: A flaming torch representing liberty is surrounded by 19 gold stars against a blue background. The word "Indiana" is above the flame. OFFICIAL SEAL: In a pioneer setting, a farmer fells a tree while a buffalo flees from the forest and across the prairie; in the background, the sun sets over distant hills. The words "Seal of the State of Indiana 1816" surround the scene. BIRD: Cardinal. FLOWER: Peony. TREE: Tulip poplar. STONE: Indiana limestone. POEM: "Indiana." LEGAL HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., 3rd Monday in January; Lincoln's Birthday, 12 February; Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February; Good Friday, March or April; Primary Election Day, 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in May in even-numbered years; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October; Election Day, 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years; Veterans Day, 11 November; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 7 AM EST = noon GMT; 6 AM CST = noon GMT.