VIRGINIA

Commonwealth of Virginia

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: Named for Queen Elizabeth I of England, the "Virgin Queen." NICKNAME: The Old Dominion. CAPITAL: Richmond. ENTERED UNION: 25 June 1788 (10th). SONG: "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia" was formally retired from use in 1997 but has not yet been replaced. MOTTO: Sic semper tyrannis (Thus ever to tyrants). FLAG: On a blue field with a white border at the fly, the state seal is centered on a white circle. OFFICIAL SEAL: obverse: the Roman goddess Virtus, dressed as an Amazon and holding a sheathed sword in one hand and a spear in the other, stands over the body of Tyranny, who is pictured with a broken chain in his hand and a fallen crown nearby. The state motto appears below, the word "Virginia" above, and a border of Virginia creeper encircles the whole. reverse: the Roman goddesses of Liberty, Eternity, and Fruitfulness, with the word "Perseverando" (By persevering) above. ANIMAL: Foxhound. BIRD: Cardinal. FLOWER: Dogwood. TREE: Dogwood. SHELL: Oyster. BEVERAGE: Milk. LEGAL HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Lee-Jackson Day and Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., 3rd Monday in January; Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Columbus Day and Yorktown Victory 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.