IL state animal - white tailed deer

#4545

IL state fish - bluegill

#4546

IL State Prairie Grass -- Big Bluestem

#4547

IL State Fossil -- Tully Monster


#4548

#4549
IL State dance - squaredance

(which is, I believe, required teaching in every junior high/middle school and high school in the state - and someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Illinois the ONLY state that requires PE 5 days a week?)

For the images of the IL state seal, see
http://www.museum.state.il.us/exhib...mbols/seal.html

#4550

IL official state motto: State Soverignty, National Union

#4551

For the IL state song (which I'll be damned if any Illinoisan actually KNOWS how to sing), see
http://www.museum.state.il.us/exhib...mbols/song.html

#4552

When the territory for Illinois was originally mapped out, it was only going to go as far north as the southern edge of Lake Michigan. But when the Illinois-Michigan canal started to be planned, and it was realized the SW coast of that lake could become a major port area, the northern border was moved further north. Otherwise every Chicagoan would be a cheesehead! (sorry BCG :) )

#4553

#4554

While Illinois was granted statehood in 1818, the current state constitution was adopted in 1970.

The Illinois state quarter (the first to be issued in 2003) features Abe Lincoln against the outline of the shape of the state. To the left is a farm, to the right, part of Chicago's skyline (featuring the John Hancock Center).
The slogan "Land of Lincoln" is featured, as well as one unique to the quarter: "21st State, 21st Century."
21 stars ring the outside edge of the quarter.

See:
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs...ex.cfm?state=IL


#4555

Wild, Wonderful West Virginia

:D

#4555

Springfield, IL is actually the third state capital. Kaskaskia was the state capital at the time of statehood, having been established the capital of the Illinois Territory in 1809 (the year Lincoln was born).
Vandalia became the new state capital in 1820, and Springfield became the current state capital as of 1839.

#4557

Okay, I think I've had enough for now.

#4558

I never get enough of being under you hun. lol :lust: