Welcome to Pennsylvania! (Continued below)
| Nicknames & Slogans | |||
| Nicknames | The Keystone State, Quaker State | ||
| Symbols of State | |||
| Flag | 1907 | > | |
| Motto | Virtue, Liberty, and Independence | 1875 | > |
| Latin Motto | Ubi libertas vivit, hic patria mihi | 2015 | > |
| Song | Pennsylvania | 1990 | > |
| EcoSymbols | |||
| Flower | mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) | 1933 | > |
| Tree | eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) | 1931 | > |
| Beautification and Conservation Plant | Penngift crownvetch (Securigera varia) | 1982 | > |
| Bird | ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) | 1931 | > |
| Animal | white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) | 1959 | > |
| Dog | Great Dane (Canis lupus familiaris) | 1965 | > |
| Amphibian | hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) | 2019 | > |
| Fish | brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) | 1970 | > |
| Insect | firefly (Photuris pennsylvanica) | 1974 | > |
| Fossil † | trilobite (Phacops rana) | 1988 | > |
| Soil | Hazelton (unofficial)  |
> | |
| Cultural Symbols | |||
| Beverage | milk  |
1982 | > |
| Steam Locomotive | K4s Steam Locomotive | 1987 | > |
| Electric Locomotive | GG1 4859 Electric Locomotive | 1987 | > |
| Aircraft | Piper J-3 Cub | 2014 | > |
| Arboretum | Morris Arboretum and Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania | 1988 | > |
| Pops Orchestra | Philly Pops | 1999 | > |
| Theatre | Walnut Street Theatre at 9th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia | 1999 | > |
| Firearm | Pennsylvania long rifle | 2014 | > |
| Flagship of Pennsylvania | United States Brig Niagara | 1988 | > |
Aside from the white-tailed deer and brook trout, Pennsylvania’s symbols are relatively unique. Pennsylvanians have adopted just one of the four most monotonous symbols—the honeybee, milk, square dance and English.
A couple other states have adopted fireflies—among my favorite state insects—but how many people have even heard of a hellbender?
The low point among Pennsylvania’s symbols might be its flag. Fortunately, it now has some competition.
So, what do you think about Pennsylvania’s roster of state symbols? You can learn about the grade I gave the Keystone State in Grading the States. Or take an even closer look at Pennsylvania’s symbols with My State Symbols Book.