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The Stephen Birch Aquarium Museum In La Jolla
California Here We Are
Yippie, my sons and I FINALLY made it to California.
And WOW so much to see and do. But the best part of
coming to California is WHO we came to be with, Rob,
my soon to be hubby =)
Our State Symbols & Information
STATE ANIMAL ~ California grizzly bear (Ursus californicus)
STATE BIRD ~ The California quail (Lophortyx californica)
STATE COLOR ~ Blue & Gold
STATE DANCE ~ West Coast Swing Dancing (related to the Swing, Whip, or Jitterbug)
STATE FIFE & DRUM BAND ~ The California Consolidated Drum Band
STATE FISH ~ The golden trout (Salmo agua-bonita)
STATE FLOWER ~ The Poppy (Eschsholtzia californica)
STATE FOLK DANCE ~ Square Dancing
STATE FOSSIL ~ The sabre-tooth cat (Smilodon californicus)
STATE GEMSTONE ~ Benitoite "The Blue Diamond"
STATE INSECT ~ The California dogface butterfly or dog head (Zerene eurydice)
STATE MARINE FISH ~ The Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus)
STATE MARINE MAMMAL ~ the California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
STATE MINERAL ~ Gold =)
STATE MOTTO ~ The Greek word "Eureka" has appeared on the state
seal since 1849 and means "I have found it". The words were
probably intended to refer to the discovery of gold in California.
STATE NICKNAME ~ The Golden State
STATE THEATER ~ he Pasadena Playhouse
STATE TREE ~ The California redwood
STATE FLAG ~ On June 14, 1846, a small band of settlers
marched on the Mexican garrison at Sonoma and took the
commandant, Mariano Vallejo, prisoner, They issued a proclamation
which declared California to be a Republic independent of Mexico.
This uprising became known as the Bear Flag Revolt after the
hastily designed flag depicting a grizzly bear and a five pointed
star over a red bar and the words "California Republic." The
grizzly bear was a symbol of great strength while the lone star
made reference to the lone Star of Texas. The flag only flew
until July 9, 1846 when it was learned that Mexico and the United
States were already at war. Soon after, the Bear Flag was
replaced with the American flag. It was adopted as the State
Flag by the State Legislature in 1911.
STATE SEAL ~ The Constitutional Convention of 1849 adopted
the Great Seal of the State of California. The seal was
designed by Major R. S. Garnett of the United States Army, and
proposed by Caleb Lyon, a clerk of the convention. The Roman
goddess of wisdom, Minerva, has at her feet a grizzly bear and
clusters of grapes representing wildlife and agricultural
richness. A miner works near the busy Sacramento River, below
the Sierra Nevada peaks. The Greek word "Eureka" meaning "I have
found it", probably refers to the miner's discovery of gold. Near
the upper edge of the seal are 31 stars representing the number
of states with California's anticipated admission. Just as
Minerva sprung full-grown from the head of Jupiter, California
became a state on September 9, 1850, without having to go
through a territorial stage.
STATE SONG ~ "I Love You, California"
I love you, California, you're the greatest state of all.
I love you in the winter, summer, spring and in the fall.
I love your fertile valleys; your dear mountains I adore.
I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore.
Chorus
Where the snow crowned Golden Sierras
Keep their watch o'er the valleys bloom,
It is there I would be in our land by the sea,
Every breeze bearing rich perfume.
It is here nature gives of her rarest. It is Home Sweet Home to me,
And I know when I die I shall breathe my last sigh
For my sunny California.
I love your red-wood forests - love your fields of yellow grain.
I love your summer breezes and I love your winter rain.
I love you, land of flowers; land of honey, fruit and wine.
I love you, California; you have won this heart of mine.
I love your old gray Missions - love your vineyards stretching far.
I love you, California, with your Golden Gate ajar.
I love your purple sun-sets, love your skies of azure blue.
I love you, California; I just can't help loving you.
I love you, Catalina, you are very dear to me.
I love you, Tamalpais, and I love Yosemite.
I love you, Land of Sunshine, Half your beauties are untold.
I loved you in my childhood, and I'll love you when I'm old.
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