WEST VIRGINIA

State of West Virginia

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: The state was originally the western part of Virginia. NICKNAME: The Mountain State. CAPITAL: Charleston. ENTERED UNION: 20 June 1863 (35th). SONGS: "The West Virginia Hills," "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home," and "This Is My West Virginia." MOTTO: Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free). COAT OF ARMS: A farmer stands to the right and a miner to the left of a large ivy-draped rock bearing the date of the state's admission to the Union. In front of the rock are two hunters' rifles upon which rests a cap of liberty. The state motto is beneath and the words "State of West Virginia" above. FLAG: The flag has a white field bordered by a strip of blue, with the coat of arms in the center, wreathed by rhododendron leaves; across the top of the coat of arms are the words "State of West Virginia." OFFICIAL SEAL: The same as the coat of arms. ANIMAL: Black bear. BIRD: Cardinal. FISH: Brook trout. FLOWER: Rhododendron. TREE: Sugar maple. FRUIT: Apple. COLORS: Old gold and blue. 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; West Virginia Day, 20 June; 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; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 7 AM EST = noon GMT.