STATE SYMBOLS
STATE BIRD
CAROLINA WREN - 1948
The Great Carolina Wren was selected as the State Bird of South Carolina replacing the mockingbird. Its song is "tea-ket-tle, tea-ket-tle, tea-ket-tle" and can be heard year-round day and night.
STATE TREE
SABAL PALMETTO - 1939
The palmetto symbolizes the defeat of the British fleet at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island. The fort was constructed of palmetto logs which were able to absorb the impact of cannon balls.
STATE FLOWER
YELLOW JASMINE - 1924
Found throughout the state "it's delicate flower suggests the pureness of gold; it's perpetual return out of the dead of winter suggests the lesson of constancy in, loyalty to, and patriotism in the service of the state". (Quote from South Carolina legislature)
STATE FLAG
ADOPTED - 1861
Incorporates a trinity of symbolism: Love, Loyalty and Faith
STATE DANCE
SHAG - 1984
The Shag is a type of swing dance that developed during the 1930's and 40's combining nimble footwork with upbeat rhythm and blues (Known as beach music).
STATE HOSPITALITY BEVERAGE
CAROLINA GROWN TEA - 1995
South Carolina is the first place in the United States where tea was grown (planted in the Lowcountry outside of Charleston).
STATE COMMEMORATIVE COIN
The Commemorative State Quarter was created in 2002. The State Quarters Program is the most popular numismatic program in history.
STATE OPERA
PORGY & BESS
Charleston native DuBose Heyward wrote the novel “Porgy” in 1925. George Gershwin collaborated with Heyward, and in July 1935 the opera was finished.