IOWA

State of Iowa

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: Named for Iowa Indians of the Siouan family. NICKNAME: The Hawkeye State. CAPITAL: Des Moines. ENTERED UNION: 28 December 1846 (29th). SONG: "The Song of Iowa." MOTTO: Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain. FLAG: There are three vertical stripes of blue, white, and red; in the center a spreading eagle holds in its beak a blue ribbon with the state motto. OFFICIAL SEAL: A sheaf and field of standing wheat and farm utensils represent agriculture; a lead furnace and a pile of pig lead are to the right. In the center stands a citizen-soldier holding a US flag with a liberty cap atop the staff in one hand and a rifle in the other. Behind him is the Mississippi River with the steamer Iowa and mountains; above him an eagle holds the state motto. Surrounding this scene are the words "The Great Seal of the State of Iowa" against a gold background. BIRD: Eastern goldfinch. FLOWER: Wild rose. TREE: Oak. STONE: Geode. 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; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Veterans Day, 11 November; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 6 AM CST = noon GMT.