List of Tennessee state symbols

Tennessee, the Volunteer State, has many symbols.

Official symbols of the state are designated by act of the Tennessee General Assembly. The earliest state symbol was the first state seal, which was authorized by the original state constitution of 1796 and first used in 1802. [ [http://www.state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/07-08/46-Symbols%20&%20Honors.pdf Tennessee Symbols and Honors: Official Seal of the State] , "Tennessee Blue Book" 2007-2008, pages 516-517. (Accessed June 24, 2008)] The current seal design was adopted in 1987. The most recent designation of an official state symbol was in 2003, when the tomato was named the state fruit.

The General Assembly also has officially designated a state slogan, "Tennessee—America at Its Best," adopted in 1965, and a state motto, "Agriculture and Commerce," adopted in 1987 and based on the words on the state seal.

Tennessee's best-known unofficial symbol probably is its nickname, the "The Volunteer State," which originated during the War of 1812 when many Tennesseans enlisted in the military in response to Governor Willie Blount's call for volunteers. [http://www.state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/07-08/46-Symbols%20&%20Honors.pdf Tennessee Symbols and Honors] , "Tennessee Blue Book" 2007-2008] __TOC__

tate symbols

tate songs

In 2003, a resolution of the 103rd General Assembly designated songwriting as an official state art form. In keeping with this designation, Tennessee has seven official state songs:
*"My Homeland, Tennessee", by Nell Grayson Taylor (words) and Roy Lamont Smith (music), was adopted as a state song by the General Assembly in 1925.
*"When It's Iris Time in Tennessee", by Willa Waid Newman, was designated a state song in 1935, two years after the iris became the state flower.
*"My Tennessee", by Frances Hannah Tranum, is the state's official public school song, adopted by the General Assembly in 1955.
*"The Tennessee Waltz", by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King, was designated an official song of the state by the General Assembly in 1965.
*"Rocky Top", by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, was adopted as an official song of Tennessee in 1982.
*"Tennessee", by Vivian Rorie, was designated an official song in 1992.
*"The Pride of Tennessee", by Fred Congdon, Thomas Vaughn and Carol Elliot, was designated an official song in 1996.

tate poem

A poem entitled "Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee" was designated the official state poem by the 88th General Assembly in 1973. The poem was written by U.S. Navy Admiral William P. Lawrence while in solitary confinement in a prisoner of war camp in North Vietnam.

ee also

*Lists of United States state insignia

References

External links

* [http://tennessee.gov/sos/symbols/index.htm Tennessee State Symbols and History] , Tennessee Department of State website
* [http://tennessee.gov/sos/bluebook/online/symbols.pdf Tennessee Symbols and Honors] , "Tennessee Blue Book"