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Coat of Arms

Pennsylvania's Coat of Arms, while not used in the same official capacity as the State Seal (although it contains the emblem of the seal), is perhaps a more familiar symbol of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It appears on countless documents, letterheads, and publications and forms the design on Pennsylvania's State Flag. Provincial Pennsylvania's coat of arms was that of the Penn family. A state coat of arms first appeared on state paper money issued in 1777.

This first coat of arms was nearly identical to the State Seal without the inscription. In 1778, Caleb Lownes of Philadelphia prepared a coat of arms. Heraldic in design, it consisted of: a shield, which displayed the emblem of the State Seal _ the ship, plough, and sheaves of wheat; an eagle for the crest; two black horses as supporters; and the motto "Virtue, Liberty and Independence." An olive branch and a cornstalk were crossed below the shield. Behind each horse was a stalk of corn, but these were omitted after 1805. Numerous modifications were made to this coat of arms between 1778 and 1873, chiefly in the position and color of the supporting horses. In 1874, the legislature noted these variations and lack of uniformity and appointed a commission to establish an official coat of arms for the Commonwealth. In 1875, the commission had reported it had adopted, almost unchanged, the coat of arms originally designed by Caleb Lownes 96 years earlier. This is the coat of arms in use today.

State Flag
Pennsylvania's State Flag is composed of a blue field, on which is embroidered the State Coat of Arms. The flag is flown from all state buildings, and further display on any public building within the Commonwealth is provided for by law. The first State Flag bearing the State Coat of Arms was authorized by the General Assembly in 1779. During the Civil War, many Pennsylvania regiments carried flags modeled after the U. S. Flag, but substituted Pennsylvania's Coat of Arms for the field of stars. An act of the General Assembly of June 13, 1907, standardized the flag and required that the blue field match the blue of Old Glory.

State Animal The Whitetail Deer is the official state animal, as enacted by the General Assembly on October 2, 1959. State Game Bird The Ruffed Grouse is the state game bird, as enacted by the general Assembly on June 22, 1931. The Pennsylvania ruffed grouse, sometimes called the partridge, is distinguished by its plump body, feathered legs, and mottled reddish-brown color. This protective coloring makes it possible for the ruffed grouse to conceal itself in the wild.

State Dog
The Great Dane is the state dog, as enacted by the General Assembly on August 15, 1965.

State Fish The Brook Trout is the state fish, as enacted by the General Assembly on March 9, 1970.

State Flower The Mountain Laurel is the state flower, as enacted by the General; Assembly on May 5, 1933. The mountain laurel is in full bloom in mid-June, when Pennsylvania's woodlands are filled with its distinctive pink flower. State Insect The firefly is the state insect as enacted by the General Assembly on Aril 10, 1974. Act 130 of December 5, 1988, designated the particular species of the firefly "Poturis Pennsylvania De Geer" as the official state insect.

State Beverage Milk is the official state beverage, as enacted by the General Assembly on April 29,1982. State Tree The Hemlock is the state tree, as enacted by the General Assembly on June 23, 1931.

Flagship of Pennsylvania The restored United States Brig Niagara is the Flagship of Pennsylvania, as enacted by the General Assembly on May 26, 1988. The Flagship Niagara, under Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, was decisive in the Battle of Lake Erie, defeating a British squadron September 10, 1813. Its home port is Erie.

State Beautification/Conservation Plant The Penngift Crownvetch is the official beautification and conservation plant, as enacted by the General Assembly on June17, 1982.

State Fossil Phacops rana (a small water animal) is the official state fossil, as enacted by the General Assembly on December 5, 1988.

State Song
The official state song of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania was adopted by the General assembly and signed into law by Governor Robert P. Casey on November 29, 1990. The song "Pennsylvania," was written and composed by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner and is the official song for all public purposes.
"Pennsylvania"
Verse 1
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Mighty is your name,
Steeped in glory and tradition,
Object of acclaim.
Where brave men fought the foe of freedom,
Tyranny decried,
'Til the bell of independence
filled the countryside.
Chorus
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be,
filled with honor everlasting
as your history.
Verse 2
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Blessed by God's own hand,
Birthplace of a mighty nation,
Keystone of the land.
Where first our country's flag unfolded,
freedom to proclaim,
May the voices of tomorrow
glorify your name.
Chorus
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be,
filled with honor everlasting
as your history.

Fun Facts are courtesy of the Pennsylvania Manual Volume 112