MAINE

State of Maine

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: Either from the French for a historical district of France or from the early use of "main" to distinguish coast from islands. NICKNAME: The Pine Tree State. CAPITAL: Augusta. ENTERED UNION: 15 March 1820 (23rd). SONG: "State of Maine Song." MOTTO: Dirigo ("I direct" or "I lead"). COAT OF ARMS: A farmer and sailor support a shield on which are depicted a pine tree, a moose, and water. Under the shield is the name of the state; above it, the state motto and the North Star. FLAG: The coat of arms on a blue field, with a yellow fringed border surrounding three sides. OFFICIAL SEAL: Same as the coat of arms. ANIMAL: Moose. BIRD: Chickadee. FISH: Landlocked salmon. INSECT: Honeybee. FLOWER: White pine cone and tassel. TREE: white pine. MINERAL: Tourmaline. STATE HERB: Wintergreen. LEGAL HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., 3rd Monday in January; Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February; Patriots' Day, 3rd Monday in April; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October; Veterans Day, 11 November; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November and day following; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 7 AM EST = noon GMT.