(upbeat music) Hello, Arkansas.
It is a great day to learn something new.
Arkansas is a beautiful place to live, work or visit.
Our state has so many things that make it special, including beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes, parks and forest.
It's no wonder that Arkansas is called the natural state for its beautiful scenery and endless outdoor experiences.
Oftentimes we see symbols used to identify states or countries.
Symbols are used as items that can represent something else.
Can you think of any American symbols?
Most people can identify the American flag, and they may also think about a bald eagle or the Statue of Liberty when they think about the United States.
But when you think about Arkansas and symbols that represent Arkansas, what do you think of?
Could you identify the Arkansas flag?
Did you know until 1913, Arkansas did not have a state flag.
But after a contest was held, the winning design was chosen from 65 entries.
And the flag is what we use today.
Each part of the flag has symbols that were purposefully chosen to represent specific things.
The colors are red, white and blue, just like the American flag.
And there are 25 stars.
The 25 stars are to signify that Arkansas was the 25th state admitted into the union.
The stars are in the shape of a diamond because Arkansas is the only diamond producing state in the whole nation.
The three stars are used to show that Arkansas has been ruled by three different nations, Spain, France and of course the United States.
The three stars also show that Arkansas was the third state created by the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
In 1913, the state name was added as a suggestion by the selection committee and the state legislature approved the design as the state's official flag.
There are other symbols that represent Arkansas and are important to our state as well.
They make the state unique and special.
Do you remember how I said that Arkansas is the only state in the nation that produces diamonds?
The Arkansas state gem is the diamond.
Have you ever visited Crater of Diamond State Park in Murfreesboro?
Did you know that it is the only place in the whole world that anyone can dig for diamonds and keep them?
That is so cool.
The state tree in Arkansas is the pine tree.
Southern yellow and loblolly pine trees are common to see all around Arkansas.
They can grow to 100 feet tall and are used to make so many different products like lumber and paper.
Our state flower is the apple blossom.
Apple blossoms grow on trees and are pink and white with green leaves.
The town of Lincoln, Arkansas, hosts an annual apple festival each year, and apples used to be a major crop in the state.
Did you know that we have a state insect?
It's true.
It's the honeybee.
Arkansas boast a large amount of farmland, and honeybees are so helpful to farmers.
They fly from flower to flower, collect pollen, and that pollen helps plants make the fruit and seeds that farmers sell.
Bees, of course, also make honey.
The state bird in Arkansas is the mockingbird.
The mockingbird can imitate the sounds that many other birds make, as well as frogs and insects.
It's pretty awesome if you ask me.
Did you know that white tailed deer are the most popular game animal in Arkansas?
The young deer have red fur with white spots that help them hide in tall grass.
But by their first birthday, their fur turns a brownish gray.
Arkansas is an amazing state, and our state symbols represent some of the things that we are the most proud of.
Can you think of other symbols that do or could represent Arkansas?
Today, when you go outside, look for things that make Arkansas special to you and don't stop learning.
(upbeat music) Get up off your feet.
Ah, ooo, ooo.
It's time to rise and shine.
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