NEW JERSEY

State of New Jersey

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: Named for the British Channel Island of Jersey. NICKNAME: The Garden State. CAPITAL: Trenton. ENTERED UNION: 18 December 1787 (3rd). MOTTO: Liberty and Prosperity. COLORS: Buff and Jersey blue. COAT OF ARMS: In the center is a shield with three plows, symbolic of agriculture; a helmet above indicates sovereignty, and a horse's head atop the helmet signifies speed and prosperity. The state motto and the date "1776" are displayed on a banner below. FLAG: The coat of arms on a buff field. OFFICIAL SEAL: The coat of arms surrounded by the words "The Great Seal of the State of New Jersey." ANIMAL: Horse. BIRD: Eastern goldfinch. INSECT: Honeybee. FLOWER: Violet. TREE: Red oak. MEMORIAL TREE: Dogwood. SHELL: Knobbed whelk. 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; 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; Veterans Day, 11 November; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 7 AM EST = noon GMT.